Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan started his second term on Monday, June 30, with a vow to deliver better public service to Caloocan City residents.

Malapitan was sworn in by Executive Judge Hon. Glenda Cabello-Marin at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Malapitan emphasized the city government’s ongoing commitment to improving public service, maintaining order, and addressing long-standing challenges such as flooding, traffic congestion, and sanitation.

“Ang direktiba ko naman sa mga barangay, lagyan ninyo ng gumaganang CCTV ang bawat kanto ng inyong nasasakupan. At huwag ninyong hayaang mamuhay sa dugyot na paligid (My directive to the barangays is to install CCTV cameras in every corner of your area. And don't let people live in squalid surroundings, he said.

He also called for collective action on waste management, emphasizing that the solution begins at home.

“Kailangan nating magtulungan kung nais nating magkaroon ng solusyon ang problema sa basura at kalinisan. Let cleanliness start at home and at the barangay level (We need to work together if we want to find a solution to the problem of garbage and cleanliness. Let cleanliness start at home and in the barangay level), he said.

Malapitan also urged the police to crack down on criminal elements.

“Arestuhin at linisin ninyo ang Caloocan mula sa masasamang elemento tulad ng riding-in-tandem, mga miyembro ng gang, rugby boys, snatcher at iba pang namemerwisyo sa mga batang Kankaloo (Arrest and rid Caloocan of bad elements such as riding-in-tandem, gang members, rugby boys, snatchers and others who harm the children of Kankaloo), he said.

“Hindi pa rin natin patatawarin ang mga tulak ng droga at titiyakin natin na mabubulok sila sa kulungan (We will not forgive drug pushers and we will make sure they rot in prison),” he added.

Reflecting on his accomplishments, Malapitan shared that over 350,000 jobs were created during his first term, with 161,000 residents employed.

“Ngayon, palalawakin pa natin ang pagbibigay ng hanapbuhay. Hindi sapat ang ayuda. Bigyan natin sila ng dignidad mula sa sariling kita na pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan (We will expand employment opportunities for our people. Aid is not enough. Let's give them dignity through their own hard-earned income)” he said.

On education, he announced the rollout of smart classrooms to improve learning in public schools.

“Uumpisahan na natin gawing smart classrooms ang mga silid-aralan upang manguna sa larangan ng dekalidad na edukasyon ang mga anak natin (We will begin to transform classrooms into smart classrooms so that our children will start to lead in the field of quality education),” he said.

Malapitan vowed to continuously improve the system and aim for a better Caloocan.

“Ang kwento ng pagbabago sa Caloocan ay hindi po tungkol kay Along o kung sino mang nakaupo bilang alkalde. Ito po ay tungkol sa ating lahat (The story of change in Caloocan is not about Along or anyone sitting as mayor. It is about all of us), he said.

“I will make mistakes, my second term won’t be perfect. But I promise to listen, to act, and to lead with purpose,” he added.