MAYOR Belen T. Fernandez cited three lessons from the revolution of 1898 that culminated in the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12 -– sacrifice, perseverance and love of country.

In what appeared as her last public address during the commemoration of the 121st Philippine Independence Day at West Central Elementary School, Mayor Fernandez said these same lessons helped Dagupan attain its unprecedented progress in many fields for the last six years under her administration. 

“We planned and were able to win over many challenges that faced the city.  We have won many freedoms in just a short period of time by using the lessons of sacrifice, perseverance and love of country,” she said.

She said through her programs in education, in partnership with the Dagupan Schools Division, the youth of the city has been finally liberated from ignorance through the construction of new and modern school buildings, multi-purpose gymnasiums, facilities for youth and women, sports, tourism and others. 

“Our people have already been liberated from diseases because in the past, health services and medicines as well as medical personnel were surely lacking. Everything has changed now,” she added.

The reforms instituted over the last six years resulted in a more disciplined populace and greatly reduced the commission of petty street crimes in the city.

She said her administration not only liberated the city from the P280-million loan borrowed by the past administration in 2004 but succeeded in making it today as the richest and the most competitive city in Region 1, citing the P1.010 billion of the city’ 2019 budget, compared to P528 million in 2013.

“Maliksi, malakas at masagana ang lagay ng ekonomiya na aking iiwan sa pagtatapos ng buwang ito. Lilisanin ko na ang kaban ay siksik, umaapaw at rumaragasa ang pera kung ihahambing sa aking naabutan noong 2013,” Mayor Fernandez said.

“Iiwan ko ang isang pamahalaan na malinis, maayos, tapat, mahusay at asensado. Marami na tayong tinatamasa ngayon at mahaba ang listahan,” she added, 

“Pusong tapat sa paglilingkod ang iniambag natin kapalit ng lahat ng ating tagumpay. Marami-rami ang nasagasaan ng mga pagbabagong ito subalit hindi ko ito pinagsisisihan dahil ito lamang ang bunga ng ating pagmamahal sa lungsod ng Dagupan”, she added.

Before the commemorative program, Fernandez led the laying of wreaths at the foot of the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at the City Plaza along with City Schools Superintendent Lorna Bugayong, Lt. Colonel Percival Pineda, OIC chief of Police; City Administrator Farah Decano and others.

After the program, Fernandez and City Administrator Farah Decano inspected the ongoing construction of the three-storey Special Education (SPED) class building at the West Central Elementary School funded by the city government. (Leonardo Micua)

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