CEBU CITY – A Smart Heritage City that will serve as a model of sustainable development.
This is the vision for Dapitan City that Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos conveyed during his State-of-the-City Address (SOCA) at the New Government Center in Dapitan on Friday, December 1.
DAPITAN City Mayor Seth Frederick ‘Bullet’ Jalosjos delivers his State-of-the-City Address (SOCA) at the New Government Center in Dapitan on Friday, December 1. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
“As we stand at the crossroads of progress, we must embrace our new vision for Dapitan as a Smart Heritage City. This vision is not merely a slogan, it is a roadmap for a future where technology empowers our people, where our heritage is preserved and celebrated, and where Dapitan emerges as a model of sustainable development,” Jalosjos said.
As a smart city, Dapitan will become a technologically modern urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect specific data, the mayor said.
Information gained from that data is used to manage assets, resources, and services efficiently. In return, that data is used to improve operations across the city, he added.
“Our message to the world is clear: Our vision for Dapitan is to become a Smart Heritage City. A city where the past inspires the future. It is not just a place to live, it's a lifestyle, a harmonious blend of modern conveniences and the enduring charm of a city rich in history and embraced by nature,” Jalosjos added.
Jalosjos also presented six-tiered key achievements.
In promoting participatory, transparent, and good governance, the city government will forge a partnership with the Philippine Information Agency as well as adopt the e-LGU program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology that is expected to improve the city’s “Serbisyo Bilis” program.
The city will also institutionalize the Dapitan City Intelligence Center through the Barangay Information and Government System to attain participatory decision-making to enhance service delivery efforts.
On inclusive social and health services, Jalosjos said that the Dapitan City Super Health Center has started and is in progress beating the 2024 deadline.
With a green, progressive, and sustainable economy and tourism, Dapitan has captured the hearts of many visitors, both local and foreign alike.
Since the launch of the UnliFuDap (Unlimited Fun in Dapitan) campaign, the city has attracted 23,330 tourists.
Towards a more profound regional tourism alliance, the sisterhood agreement forged between Dapitan and the province of Siquijor is bound to expand by including the province of Bohol, creating the tourism triangle to be known as the “Tres Islas” (Three Islands) which is hoped to promote multiple marketing campaigns and improved nautical accessibility.
The recent International Triathlon-Dapitan 2023 that the city hosted also resulted in a rise in hotel occupancy rates and income of eateries.
On innovative human capital, the 3D printing program will provide budding youth opportunities to experience 3D printing and technological literacy. Along with this, a more than 10 meter-high 3D printed monument of Dr. Jose Rizal will rise in the center of Rotonda, Lawaan which is hoped to break the Guinness World Record as the Largest 3D Printed Monument in the world.
Deviating from the traditional schedule, Jalosjos’s SOCA was held during day break to coincide with the Christmas Lights Switch-On ceremony.
The activity was attended by Vice Mayor Alfredo A. Sy, Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rosalina G. Jalosjos, Board Member Angelica J. Carreon, Piñan Mayor Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, former Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Rommel A. Jalosjos, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Jr., chiefs of offices of the city government of Dapitan and national agencies and regional directors, City Administrator Atty. Amalou Tumapon-Monroyo, punong barangays or barangay chairmen of Dapitan, the business and religious sectors, civil society organization, and former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos.