Caloocan: 78% of income went to development projects

MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri announced yesterday that the city government has invested an average of 78 percent of its total income over the past five years into development projects.

Speaking before the officers and members of the Caloocan City Development Council, Echiverri said this figure far exceeded the minimum 20 percent required by law.

Topping the list is funding for various infrastructure projects, which averaged P500 million every year from 2004 to 2008. The city government constructed more than 187 kilometers of roads compared to the 37.7 kilometers constructed during the first four years of the previous administration.

“We have transformed previously bumpy, almost impassable roads into what they are today – like the Zapote Road , Zabarte and Calamansian roads in the North, and Tullahan and Sabalo Roads in the south, to name just a few,” Echiverri said.

The city government also built close to 300 classrooms in four years, improving the student-classroom ratio from 85 students to one room to 50 per classroom.

He said some P65.6 million was spent in the construction and maintenance of 102 deep wells and water pumps, particularly in North Caloocan, where residents previously had no water supply.

“Also, we have constructed a city animal pound, at least 28 day care centers, health center and other public buildings to the tune of P118.8 million that effectively serve the needs of thousands of our constituents,” he added. – Jerry Botial