Marikina outlines priority projects

Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando outlined yesterday 23 priority projects to further improve delivery of basic services to her constituents this year, as she expressed strong belief that her city "is ready to throw its hat into the global arena."

"We believe that we have successfully laid down the foundation that makes for a "Little Singapore," she said during her State of the City Address (SOCA) at the City Hall Quadrangle. "Our eyes are now set toward global possibilities. It’s inevitable for our city to face the world."

Fernando called upon all Marikeños "to join our city in its journey into the future."

"We have so far accomplished much, but the best is yet to come," the mayor said as she looked forward to another year of dynamic and productive partnership with the Sangguniang Panglungsod, bagangays, the judiciary, educators, businessmen, homeowners and community associations, religious groups, socio-civic organizations and other stakeholders.

Fernando told residents that there is so much more to hope for and look forward to.

"The challenges are great, the expectations are higher. We shall match this with our can-do attitude and resolve to create a positive difference. Our dreams are limitless and our potentials endless," she said.

The mayor enumerated her accomplishments in 2005, including the collection of P1.245 billion in taxes.

She said the city also received a total of 55,000 tourists from various local government units (LGUs) and schools, the highest recorded tourist arrivals in Marikina in the last 10 years.

Fernando said the city also received eight national, and international awards and citations, hosted a number of revenue-generating events and three international sports competitions.

The city initiated the empowerment of the citizenry through various interventions to include skills retooling program which benefited 8,258 participants, livelihood skills training with 900 beneficiaries and job placement assistance to about 3,500 applicants. At least 800 civilian volunteers were also provided part-time jobs.

"We can see marked improvements in our areas of concern in our city," the mayor said. "Along this line, we shall be rededicating ourselves to continue to meet the challenge of securing a better tomorrow."

She urged Marikeños to be more bullish "to produce concrete results with far-reaching implications on the lives of the greater number of the people and on the broader sectors of our community."

"We shall be guided by higher standards of governance for it is the quality of work that spells the difference between where we are and where we want to be," Fernando said.

For this year, the mayor said the city government expects greater roles from entrepreneurs for livelihood and job generation.

She is also optimistic on the establishment of the first call center in the city that can employ up to 1,000 people and the start of construction of an SM mall by the river.

To improve access to secondary education, the city government would build the Camacho and Santan High Schools and the new Department of Education (DepEd) building across the existing Division of Schools in Barangay Sta. Elena.

She said the city would develop an eight-storey Marikina Sports park, push for the completion of the Justice Hall that will house the local PNP and Rescue 161, and convert the existing Bulwagang Katarungan into a legislative building.

Fernando said they would also initiate the revival of the Pasig ferry boat service with proposed landing stations at the Riverbanks and Marikina River park.

The city, she said, would embark on the computerization of health centers for a more efficient health information system, and the operationalization of Internet map viewer in support of disaster reduction efforts.

With her 23 programs this year, Fernando vowed to build a society with equal application of the rules and opportunities for Marikeños.

"We shall continue to build a society where every individual is treated fairly, mindful of the fact that such treatment encourages people to put a stake in the city, to work hard, to dedicate themselves to their craft and to measure up to the standards of being Marikeños," she said. "This year, as it had been, let us be guided by our firm belief, Sa Marikina Posible."