2011 State of the city addresses in Ormoc City transformation via agri-tech

ORMOC CITY, Philippines  — In delivering his annual state of the city address (SOCA) recently, Mayor Eric Codilla centered his message on the transformation of the city, since he became the mayor in 2004.

Citing unstable fuel prices which also affected food and basic commodities, the devaluation of peso and the devastating effect of calamities, Codilla said he carried out immediate but sustainable programs.

He did so by coming up with a different approach, and by not competing with the industrially and commercially advanced Cebu and Tacloban cities, of which Ormoc is located in between the two.

Codilla instead anchored his moves on the agricultural strength of Ormoc by increasing production through developmental programs and adaptation of effective agricultural technologies.

The result was increased yield, and the city now exports rice and vegetables to Cebu and Tacloban which buffers the food supply shortages of these two cities, and in the process also increases the income of local farmers, the mayor said.

"The Rice Production Enhancement Program (RPEP) is my administration's worthy legacy," he told a crowd that listened to his SOCA at the legislative hall in the new and modern City Hall.

RPEP is a program of which hybrid rice was introduced. From 80 cavans per hectare, farmers were able to increase their harvests up to 220 cavans per cropping per hectare, said Codilla.

With an increasing demand on vegetables, the city put in place various support systems to assist vegetable farmers. "Today, a tramline is set up in one of the highland vegetable-producing barangay to reduce the difficulty in transporting produce due to the terrain. Greenhouses, demo farms, protective structures and an agri-tech building were also set up," he said.

Codilla said all of these and agriculture have been the driving force behind the success in other government sectors.

"Business climate, increase in economic activities, and health services were backed up by five 3-in-1 centers, which in turn decentralized basic services," he said, adding that the project is "a brainchild of our administration and Ormoc is the very first LGU to materialize this one-of-a-kind concept all throughout the Philippines."

Each of the five centers houses the police, DSWD and health offices. "In 2010, the centers recorded a total of 1,149 birth deliveries and accommodated 4,282 dental patients. Birth and maternal mortally significantly reduced," he said.

Codilla also announced the thrust of his administration for this year. "We planned to construct a city hospital to better serve our constituents in the curative aspect."

On education, Codilla said he will continue to provide free school supplies and scholarship grants, support sports development, improve educational facilities, establish more e-learning centers through the special education fund.

He has plans also to establish a kiddie toys/reading center on top of improving the existing facilities such as the social development center for youth, lingap and holding centers, among others.

The mayor further said he would improve the city's road networks and put up a landfill in compliance of Republic Act 9003, or the solid waste management law.

The transformation of Ormoc, he said, has been evident with the P400-million water project, and the construction of the modern City Hall, transport terminals and tourism information center, among others, with the city not resorting to loans for funds.

"With the ongoing development of Lake Danao, we intend to raise the level of tourism industry by making it another backbone of our economy," he said, adding that an initial P5 million fund has been allocated for the purpose. (FREEMAN)