ECONOMIC ISSUE -- MY REACTION

 Programs eyed to support Sara’s governance platform

Written by: Fusilero , Kristianne

Thursday, 30 December 2010

THE CITY government will strengthen next year the programs under the platform of governance of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio dubbed as barangay empowerment, academics, resources, order and governance.

“These (programs) are concentrated more on providing social services and livelihood projects at the community or barangay level, Roberto Alabado III, officer-in-charge of City Planning and Development Office,” said in a text message yesterday.

Alabado said the city government will also focus on revenue generating sectors such as the industries that involved in tourism, business process outsourcing firms and agri-processing to increase the influx of investments into the city.

Based on the approved P4.12 billion budget for next year, P804.8 million will be set aside for the Annual Development Fund, or the fund intended to finance city government-initiated projects. Of the amount, P51.5 million will be appropriated for the infrastructure projects that were identified as the utmost priority projects of the barangays, while P753.2 million will be allocated to non-infrastructure programs.

Among the infrastructure projects that would be implemented starting next year are road improvement, repair of health centers, multi-purpose buildings, basketball courts, footbridges, drainage system, electrification and water system in the barangays.

The approved budget further cites that the non-infrastructure projects those intended to develop the social and economic services to address and speed up our programs on community development, education, food security, health, livelihood, resettlement areas and urban poor housing.

The tourism promotion project alone will also get P20 million in 2011 from the mere P2 million budget this year. The fund is to be used in pushing for the development of the tourism industry through grassroots-based souvenir production centers and volun-tourguides.

Duterte-Carpio said earlier in her budget message that the projects were identified to continue on improving the quality of life of the Davaoeños.

She said the city government will also ensure the participation of the public in the planning and implementation of the programs and projects. Sustainability of development programs will be utmost consideration, the mayor said.

REACTION:

            With all these being said, I can say that Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is indeed focusing on different aspects now. As we all know, the former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was more focused on maintaining peace and order here in Davao and yes, he was successful in doing so. Under Duterte’s leadership, I believe that the city has experienced relative peace and stability and had become more popular to outsiders because of the safety it provides, very safe indeed - not for terrorists though. People are more secure as police were doing well in keeping criminals away. With this, the city’s crime rate dropped.

            Now, with his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio taking the throne, the city government is looking forward on strengthening the programs under her platform of governance dubbed as barangay empowerment, academics, resources, and such. A specific budget will be appropriated for the infrastructure projects such as road improvement, repair of health clinics, basketball courts, drainage system, and lots more. Non-infrastructure projects were also said to be given a specific budget which would develop social and economic services such as community development, food security, livelihood, and such.

            I give Mayor Sara a point for focusing more on these projects, far more quite different from the previous mayor who highly stressed on preserving the city’s peace and order and terrorist-free environment. Not that I didn’t like how the former mayor led the city, of course, I am very much contented on what Davao had become because of his leadership. On the other hand, with Mayor Sara’s governance, building infrastructures would let Davaoeños see where their taxes have gone to. It will be very transparent to the citizens of Davao City that the taxes they are obliged to pay are moving, and are going on their benefits.

            Economy would also be much more progressive because of the economic plans they have come up with. The programs they have planned to achieve in the future would be a great help in the development of the city’s economy. Tourism industry would also be given promotions which is also a great idea for the economy’s growth.

            Indeed, the city government’s plan on strengthening the programs under the platform of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is a must-look-forward-to plan. The results and even the implementation would be a thrilling process, well, as for me it is. Well, let’s just hope that it would all be achieved by the end of Mayor Sara’s term.

SUBMITTED: DECEMBER 30, 2010 11:16PM PHILIPPINE TIME :)