By DIANN IVY CALUCIN
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan delivered his first State of the City Address (SOCA) at the Caloocan City Sports Complex on Saturday, Oct. 8.
In his speech, Malapitan emphasized the fulfillment of the projects he promised during his electoral campaign last May.
"Ang pangako ko po, sampung libong job opportunities para sa mga batang Kankaloo sa aking unang isang daang araw. Salamat sa PESO, umabot na sa 26,972, ang naibigay ng nating oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan (I promised 10,000 job opportunities for Kankaloo children in my first one hundred days. Thanks to PESO, the opportunity we have given to our countrymen has reached 26,972)," he said.
He highlighted the implemented programs and city ordinances since he took office.
Among the ordinance and programs were the P500 cash gift to senior citizens, over 10,000 job opportunities for city residents, the construction of eight rescue stations, digitalization of senior citizens and PWD IDs, the introduction of an online payment portal in partnership with GCash, the opening of two health centers in Barangay 176, and two business one-stop-shops in city malls to extend government services.
He also tackled the pandemic's negative impact on the city's tourism.
"Higit na dalawang taon po tayong ginulo ng pandemya. Kung kaya't hindi maitatanggi na nasakripisyo ang turismo sa Caloocan. Ngayon, masaya po akong iulat na muli nating binubuhay ang turismo sa Caloocan at nagsagawa na rin tayo ng training sa maga barangay tourism offices (We have been disturbed by the pandemic for more than two years. Therefore, it cannot be denied that tourism in Caloocan has been sacrificed. Today, I am happy to report that we are reviving tourism in Caloocan and we have also conducted training in barangay tourism offices," he said.
The mayor also outlined the developmental projects for the next three years.
He stated the importance of strengthening public health care, improving health programs, opening more health centers for its communities, and procuring new equipment for the city’s public hospitals.
He said he also aims for the city to become one of the country's top Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices.
The mayor called on his fellow city officials to continuously work together to improve public services.
"My dear colleagues in the government service and partners in the private sectors, we have a lot of work to do. The mission of my administration is to build an inclusive government that listens to the people," he stated.