City, NGA employees pay courtesy call on MBTF
BALON DAGUPAN NEWS
DAGUPAN CITY – Employees of different national government agencies and city government offices attended the traditional Thanksgiving Mass at St. John’s Cathedral and flag raising ceremony at the city plaza on January 4 during the first working day of 2016.
Mayor Belen T. Fernandez joined them before leading the flag raising ceremony at 7:30 a.m. at the city plaza where a program was held after which the traditional courtesy call was made.
Mayor Fernandez received the officials and representatives of different line agencies from the national government and private institutions who were among the well-wishers of the mayor along with the barangay officials and the different department heads and city hall employees at the conference room of the City Mayor’s Office at city hall.
During the courtesy call of the different national government agencies and city government offices, Fernandez lauded the efforts and cooperation of each agency and the departments that led to the notable change in the city’s service and governance to the people.
In her first message of the year, Fernandez thanked her official family at the city hall for their full support and cooperation in implementing the different programs and projects of the city with competence, diligence and dedication which enabled the city to win different recognition and awards in 2015.
In recognition of the employees’ valuable efforts, contribution and notable services, Fernandez disclosed that the city is ready to implement the 11 percent salary increase for regular employees this 2016.
“This is our humble way of expressing our gratitude to our employees’ dedication, commitment and untiring service to our beloved city. We worked hard to save P50 million surplus in our budget and P30 million of this will be allotted for salary increase,” said Fernandez.
She acknowledged that because of the effort of the city hall employee, the coverage of the city’s health services have increased by 1,000 percent compared to last year, including while the different feeding programs have greatly improved the nutritional status of some undernourished children.
“Our national competitiveness’ ranking in terms of infrastructure has climbed to number 19 from 76 last 2015 because of the numerous infrastructure projects that we had implemented not only in the city but the barangays and public schools as well,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez also commended the Treasury Department for achieving a P705 million collection which is more than the 2015 target of P691 million.
“I make sure that everything is transparent and there is no graft and corruption nor any under-the-table transaction in the city. All that we collected went back to the people and our barangays in terms of unlimited projects and services,” added Fernandez.
Fernandez expressed hope that the amended comprehensive land use plan will be approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod which will open the door for more opportunities and investments for Dagupan.
“What we are using right now is the 1978 CLUP which is no longer appropriate and for our city to become a progressive smart city, we need to approve a new CLUP, said Fernandez.
For 2016, Fernandez said the city government will be more focused in looking after the welfare of the children because she believes that children, if filled with lots of love and care, will treat elderly people the same way given them when they grow up.
“It is my fervent hope and prayer that this 2016 we listen to the message of Pope Francis that we open the ocean of mercy for all, where he (Pope Francis) called on us to immerse ourselves in this ocean, to let ourselves be reborn, to overcome the indifference which blocks solidarity, and to leave behind the false neutrality which prevents sharing,” said Fernandez. (JCB/CIO)
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