New Navotas mayor vows to pursue reclamation project

MANILA, Philippines - Newly elected Navotas city mayor John Rey Tiangco has vowed to pursue the development projects initiated for the past nine years by his elder brother Toby, the former mayor who was elected as the first congressman for the newly created lone district of the city.

Among the projects which the elder Tiangco envisioned was the reclamation of the coastal barangay that will link up the city to the province of Bulacan.

The younger Tiangco, a successful businessman by profession, said that his administration plans to focus on Navotas’ greatest asset – the Navoteños.“I will pursue and continue the development projects iniated by the outgoing mayor” he said.

He said among the projects which he envisioned for Navotas City, which is the fishing capital of the Philippines, is the reclamation of the coastal area to solve the problem of housing in the city.

He said because of the limited land area the problem of the city is space for a housing project.

When he assumed his post as mayor 10 years ago Navotas had an annual budget of P100 million however with efficient fiscal management, it now boasts of more than half a billion annual budget.

Today, Navotas has received numerous awards and citations, making it one of the most competitive and productive local government units in the country.

Navotas won the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality Award in NCR in (2001, 2003, 2004); Best Peace and Order Council for three straight years (2003, 2004, 2005); Best Municipal Jail (2001, 2002), Best Municipal Police Station (2001, 2002); Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council in 2003; Outstanding LGU for Literacy Program in 2002; and Highest Apprehension in Camanava for Drug related cases.

Tiangco urged Novoteños to support the administration of his brother and expects that it will surpass his administration’s performance because it means better services to the people.

“With me in Congress they are assured that national projects will be in support of the approved city development plan,” he said. He has led last week the blessing and inauguration of the newly built school buildings at Navotas National High School on Barangay Sipac, Almacen.

He said the brand new two story – four classroom building and the repair of the two- story – four-classroom concern building can accommodate 1,000 students, thus helping decongest the increasing number of enrollees in the city’s public schools.

Tiangco, well known for his firmness in his advocacies, has expressed satisfaction with the timely completion of the new school building. He said the opening of the new school year would see happier school children, teachers, school administrators and parents enjoying the benefits of the new facilities.

“It is inspiring to note that with the construction of the new school buildings, more students are expected to finish their education and get their diplomas. This also exemplifies our solid commitment to provide quality education to the children of our city.”