Mayor Chan lashes out at Radazas in SOCA

CEBU, Philippines —  Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has criticized his predecessors for “failing and depriving” Oponganons of better healthcare and social services.

Chan, in his two-hour State of the City Address (SOCA) yesterday, said the previous administrations failed to implement essential projects for the past 18 years.

“These are the services that the Oponganons have long been deprived because of the undoings of the previous administration. Projects delayed are services denied,” he said.

Although Chan did not name his predecessors, the chief executives before him were former mayor Arturo Radaza and his wife, then mayor and now Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Paz Radaza. The couple ruled the city 18 years.

But in the past two years of his administration, Chan said, the city was able to complete the first and second phases of the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital.

He said it was supposed to be completed in 2017 during the administration of Paz.

Aside from completing the hospital building, Chan said, the city government hired medical specialists like cardiologist, pulmonologist, infectious disease specialist and emergency medicine specialist, as well as additional obgyne, surgeon, anesthesiologist, pediatrician and internal medicine.

He said the hospital performed 156 caesarian operations, 527 normal deliveries, 232 major operations, 193 minor operations, breast removal due to cancer and gallstone removal.

A paralyzed child after being confined and treated for about one month at the said hospital was able to walk again, he said.

“Og ila pa unta kining nabuhat sauna, daghan unta sila ug kinabuhi nga naluwas, ug ubay-ubay unta nga masakiton ang natambalan sa panahon nga sila pa ang naglingkod sa renda sa pangagamhanan sa dakbayan. Ang wala nabuhat nila sa milabay nga 18 ka tuig, atong nabuhat sulod lamang sa 2 ka tuig,” said Chan.

Infra, power projects

Also, Chan said his administration completed 71 road concreting projects under the Ahong Cares Bayanihan Project.

Ten drainage projects and three homes were also constructed.

“Atong natagaan ug kasulbaran ang problema sa nagkalapok nga agianan human wala kini tagda sulod sa 18 ka tuig,” the mayor said.

Chan also bared his accomplishments in Olango Island’s problem on unstable power supply.

The island residents are now enjoying a 24/7 power supply following the installation of solar street lamps and distribution of solar panel sets.

While nearby islands of Caubian, Caohagan ug Pangan-an were also lighted as residents were given solar panel sets as solar street lamps were also installed.

“Human sa 18 katuig nga natabunan sa kangitngit ang Isla sa Olango, Caubian, Caohagan ug Pangan-an, karon hayag na kini.  Lain na usab kini nga kausaban nga atong nakab-ot sulod lang sa duha katuig nga kita milingkod isip mayor,” Chan said.

Socialized housing

Moreover, Chan said a socialized housing project will soon be established within barangay Canjulao reclamation project. The area was declared by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a socialized housing site.

“Pero sulod sa 18 ka tuig nga wala kini tagae og pagtagad sa kanhi namunoan sa dakbayan, ato kini karon gisubhan aron matagaan na ug katumanan ang dugay na nga gihandum sa atong mga kaigsuonang kabus nga taga dakbayan ilabi na kadtong peligro nga nanimuyo daplin sa kabaybayonan,” Chan said.

He also said that from 86 urban poor organizations when he assumed as mayor, now the city has 352 organizations under the Urban Poor Affairs Office.

“Kay ang akong baruganan nagpabilin, nga walay demolisyon kon walay financial assistance ug relokasyon. Kaniadto, inay motabang sa mga urban poor nga mapanalipdan ang ilang mga panimalay gikan sa hulga sa demolisyon, ang kanhi namunoan mao na hinuon ang mopaseguro nga magmalampuson ang pagpahigayon sa demolisyon.  Kawala gayuy kasingkasing ug puangod,” he added.

The mayor also highlighted other achievements like the city’s response to COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination, barangay and city infrastructures, tourism improvement/efforts and more tourist attractions, assistance for the LGBT communities, water projects, the success of the 500 years anniversary celebration of the Victory of Mactan, employment and livelihood, peace and order, disaster and emergency response and environment.

 “Ato na kining natagamtam sulod lamang sa 2 katuig nga kita milingkod isip inyong Mayor, daghan na kita ug kausaban nga nabuhat ug ubay-ubay na usab kita ug kabag-uhan nga napatuman. But much remains to be done. We need to stay united to protect our gains and sustain the change that we have started,” the mayor said. — KQD (FREEMAN)