INTRODUCTION

It seems only yesterday when I assumed office as your City Mayor. I welcomed the challenge as I was given the task to do something for a city that is much-much smaller than a province, yet faced with complicated concerns. I also had a tall order from Senator Mar Roxas to fix it. Pressed for time I started to do the job.

My job today is to report, how far we have gone under the SULONG Roxas Development Agenda and where we are headed in the coming years. I wish to take this opportunity, to thank those who have made all these achievements possible. Ang akon kadalag-an inyu man kadalag-an. Aton ini tanan gintinguhaan para sa pumuluyo sang Siyudad sang Roxas.

SERVICE ENHANCEMENT

The Roxas City government can just be content with its routine delivery of service without regard to its efficiency and satisfaction of its beneficiaries. But its not just a matter of service delivery. Government should be able to continually assess its delivery system for further improvement of its service mechanisms.

• When we installed the “Business Permit One-stop shop” in January 2008 and 2009, reducing the steps from 10 to 7 steps, thereby expediting processing time in business permit transaction saving precious time and resources for our businessmen. Congratulations to the business permit and licensing office headed by Charlita Castro.

• Sa aton ginlunsar ang BREQS ukon ang Batch Request Entry System, gusto lang naton nga nga indi na magkadto sa Aklan ukon sa Iloilo ang aton mga pumuluyo para magpa verify sang ila nga live birth, marriage kag death certificates. However, we realized nga nagdala man ini sang kita para sa Siyudad amounting to 1.3M.  Salamat kay Mr. Roger Arcangelles kag sa empleyado sang Local Civil Registrar.

• There is a marked decline in our collection of penalties for our Bantay Dagat Operation from P350,000.00 in 2007 to only P206,500.00. In exchange, there is an increase in our collection in fishery licensing and boat registration amounting to P78,405.00 in 2008 and P58,305.00 from January to May 2009. In 2007 to 2008, we have issued auxiliary invoices amounting to .500M for outgoing fishery products. Nagapakita ini nga amat-amat na nga nagarespeto sa aton laye ang aton mangingisda. Salamat sa inyo nga pasensiya kag sa inyo nga pagrespeto sa aton dunang manggad para sa aton kabataan.

• We installed a total of 1,090 tetra pod concrete barricades within our sanctuaries that not only deter trawlers but also allowed Diwal – one of our most precious resources to flourish. Initial assessment revealed that Diwal growing area expanded from 2 hectares three years ago to around 4 hectares this year.      

• In order to address the concerns of our farmers, our City Agricultural Office introduced the clustering of farmers for converging agricultural production. Technology Demonstration farms were established in Cabugao, Lanot and Milibili. We also distributed certified palay seeds to farmers as well as vegetable seeds and conducted farmers’ field school. As a result, we posted an increase rice production from 10,234.48 MT in 2007 to 10,260.83 in 2008.

• The Hortus Botanicus Plant Nursery is undergoing major site development under my administration. We have completed the access road concreting amounting to P1.83M as an initial investment to improve the facility.

• The City Government in partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA), thru the Tindahan Natin Project is offering discounted rice produce to 35 rice retailers thereby extending cheaper rice to 7,250 families all over the city. Thank you NFA for helping us feed our hungry people.

• Let me bring you to a new place we call Culajao Eco-Park which is a project resulting from empowering our community in managing and conserving our natural resources. In partnership with Katunggan Sa Culajao Salbaron Association (KACUSA), PEW Fellows Program in Marine Conservation, Filamer Christian College and the Roxas City Government, this park now offer river tourists boat ride, services of ECOSAN Comfort rooms, floating cabanas, market place and resource interpretation area and is now becoming one of the primary destination in Roxas City. As a result of its operation in 2008, the people’s organization has a gross income of P69,570.00 and sold seedlings amounting to P2,890.00

• Our effort to demolish illegal structures along our riverines was supplemented by mangrove reforestation efforts. In Palina Greenbelt Ecopark, a total of .700M worth of fingerlings was collected. We recently released assistance to LABSFAR to help them launch the Libotong River Tour Project.

• When we started our birthing operations we were able to service from 6 patients in 2007 and to 32 patients in 2008, which translated to 500% increase. Salamat sa aton mga health personnel sa inyo nga kahugod sa pagserbisyo sa aton pumuluyo. This is a LANDMARK development.

• For our Indigency Program, in partnership with PhilHealth, our investment of P4.4M yielded a return of P7.3M in terms of benefits received by our beneficiaries. Moreover, the city received an additional P1.8M to reinforce City Health’s operation. This is a sterling example of optimizing our investment. 

• When we streamlined procedures in buying medicines and medical supplies, we were able to lower the cost. As a result, we were able to purchase branded medicines at a cheaper price. Furthermore, the savings generated from cheaper branded implements allowed us to procure a new vehicle for the City Health Office.  Madamo nga salamat sa aton mga empleyado sa City Health sa inyu kooperasyon para magbunga ining mga benepisyo.

• Under the Early Child Care & Development initiatives, we added 4 more day care facilities namely Brgy. I, Cogon, CSWDO and Baybay. We are lucky to have Early Childhood Care and Development Project funded by he Council for the Welfare of Children and PAGCOR supporting 10 of our barangays in Roxas City with a budget of P3M. These are the Barangays of Punta Tabuc, Culasi, Lawaan, Baybay, Tanza, San Jose, Jumaguicjic, Cabugao and Dinginan. Congratulations to all those barangays who benefited from this program.

• As our investment to the education of our children, the Special Education Fund amounting to P19.68M were allocated proportionately to 26,914 at P600 per student. We take this opportunity to apologize for the delay in the delivery of the school supplies mainly due to the strict implementation of procurement guidelines. The bidding process is now ongoing and I am confident these can be made available within the end of August.

• We conducted the FIRST SULONG ROXAS Para-Olympics last May 12, 2008 for the People with Disabilities (PWD). Apart from the Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) providing rehabilitation services, we also introduced practical skills training enabling our less fortunate to lead fruitful lives. CONGRATULATIONS SA ATON MGA STAC WORKERS KAG SA ATON MGA KAUTORAN NGA SA PIHAK SANG PISIKAL NGA LIMITASYON GATINGUHA NGA MAGPANGABUHI SANG NORMAL.

• Wala naton ginpabayaan ang mga 327 kapamilya nga gin pahalin sa ila gina istaran kag ginhatagan naton sila sang P1.13 M bulig pinansyal para ila magamit sa pag-umpisa sa panibag-o nga pangabuhi.

• The “Katas ng VAT” amounting to 350,000.00 were distributed to our Senior Citizens and 180 received free pneumonia vaccination. Ang inyo Mayor bag-o lang nagpatina sang buhok bangod indi siya gusto mahalata nga Senior Citizen naman siya. I instructed our city architect to look into the OSCA office for possible renovation. Expect more programs for the Senior Citizens kay sa pag-abot sang panahon isa ako sa magaagom sini nga programa.

• We offered training for our Out-Of-School Youth to enhance their skills in order to open employment opportunities for them. Of the 125 trainees in the Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad (SCALA), 61 completed their training, 30 are currently employed, and others are undergoing OJT in the different departments of the Roxas City Government.  Congratulations to our SCALA beneficiaries and thank you to our SCALA trainers.

• We also commend the efforts of the City Population Office under Ms. Empy Tañala, for facilitating the Mass Wedding of a total of 607 couples to include 18 of our employees. Ang indi lang namon ma sponsoran sa ila amo ang ila nga honeymoon.

URBAN MANAGEMENT

The great challenge under this agenda is transforming Roxas city into one of the more attractive destination in the country. This means we need to enhance our image by making our environment clean, safe, tourist friendly and orderly. Following this premise, we have invested in lights, drainage, roads, shelter, transportation, traffic and waste management systems.

• Kadumdom kamo nga sang una kadulom ang nagalikop sa siyudad, nga ang pumuluyo may kahadlok maglagaw kung gab-i, ang mga negosyo timprano pa nagasara. Today, we can now HONESTLY say that we are TRULY a city worth visiting. These lighting projects boost the natural beauty of our city, deter lawless elements at night, and extend economic activity at night. This project has a total investment amounting to P25M.

• Roxas City is only 2 meters above sea level making us prone to flooding. To alleviate us from this dilemma, we are currently dredging the creeks and rivers to partly address the problem of siltation that contributes to flooding. Furthermore, we are decloging our existing canals, constructing new canals and integrating these canals to serve as the natural outflow of water. As of date, we have already invested P6.8M for our drainage system.

• Recently, we received a fax copy of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) from the Department of Budget and Management amounting to P10M for the drainage system of Barangays Banica and Inzo Arnaldo. Sa mga taga Banica kag Inzo para ini sa inyo, congratulations!

• I also would like to congratulate Barangays Punta Tabuc, Tanque and Tiza because I received another notice for an additional P10M budget for your drainage system.

• Makita naton kung daw ano kadako ang pondo nga kinahanglanon naton para masulbar ang pagbaha sa siyudad. Kahibalo kita nga indi ini masarangan sang pondo sang siyudad. Salamat sa aton nga pinalangga nga Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo kay wala niya kita ginpabay-an. Karon ko napamatud-an nga ang pagkaklasmate sang akon asawa sa Presidente, may benepisyo gid man. Salamat sa akon pinalangga nga asawa sa pagpa-angga niya sa aton Presidente.

• When we procured additional units of heavy equipment, our efforts to rehabilitate, construct and maintain our roads have substantially improved. Our total budget for roads improvement amounted to P10M.

• Tricycle operation is a livelihood for our people. Consistent with this belief, I have directed the Tricycle Franchise Regulatory Unit (TFRU) to adopt a One-Franchise-One-Operator policy. Sa 3,500 ka franchise nga gina isyu sang siyudad, 3,499 kapamilya ang makabenepisyo. Isa lang ka numero ang indi nila gusto pagkuhaon. Ang numero sang 666. Nagapamatuod nga ang tawo sa siyudad relihiyoso gid man. Salamat Ginoo.

• Ining 3,499 ka legal nga tricycle operators gakinahanglan sang proteksiyon bangod ginasuond nila ang layi sang siyudad. Bilang sabat, ginamiendar sang Sangguniang Panlungsod ang City Ordinance No. 026-2009 nga naghatag sang mas mabug-at nga penalidad sa mga kolorum. Personal ini nga ginpangayo sang 3,499 nga operators paagi sang reprisentasyon sang ila mga TODA. Congratulations to our tricycle operators kag salamat sa suporta sang aton mga konsehales.

• Indi magpaulihi ang aton mga negosyante. For the first time in history, here comes the TAXI’s. We wish to thank the combined effort of Mark Ortiz, Lenny Apaitan, Bubbles Ong, Molong Capulong, William Bantigue and Jonith Blancaver for providing an alternative means of transportation for our people. Congratulations to our business sector. 

• Sang aton ginpatigayon nga rehistro nakibot kita nga may 13,000 ka mga informal settlers diri sa Siyudad sang Roxas. Tungod sini, gilayon naton nga ginbalay ang Local Shelter Plan santo sa probisyon sang R.A.7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA). Sa karon, ang Siyudad sang Roxas nagabakal kag nagareklamar  sang mga duta nga sarang naton himuon nga bag-o nga komunidad para asa aton mga pumuluyo.

• Isa na diri ang Nuevo Culasi Reclamation Project. This is one bold step of my administration. Kung aton malampuwasan ang legal, environmental kag political nga mga upang, ini magahatag sang puluy-an sa kapin sa 1,300 ka mga pamilya. This 15 hectare reclamation project shall serve as the transfer site for the elementary and high schools, provide spaces for livelihood and commercial centers, docking and cold storage facilities and recreational area for our people.

• Samtang ginapangatubang naton ining mga problema, we never stoped. Bag-o lang naton nabakal ang 6 ektarya nga duta sa Barangay Tanza sa balor nga P6M. Sa bulig sang National Housing Authority bag-o magtapos ang tuig matapos na naton ang plano sa pagdevelop sini. Nagtug-an na sa aton ang Gawad Kalinga nga magbulig kag aton gina plano nga early next year we will start the development kag ini makabenepisyo sang kapin sa 600 ka mga informal settlers.  

• Indi lang ini, bangod may ginatan-aw na naman kita nga balaklon nga 32 ektaryas nga lote sa Barangay Balijuagan expected to beneft 3,800 informal settlers.   This I must say nga sa subong palang amat-amat na naton nga ginaporma ang handom sang aton mga pumuluyo nga makaangkon sang lote kag balay kag magpangabuhi sa isa ka desente nga komunidad. May duta mankita nga ginbakal sa Barangay Bato nga nagabalor sa P1M nga pagagamiton para sa aton pangpubliko nga sementeryo, nagpain pagid ako P1M para sa pagpanami sini nga sementeryo na puede magamit sang maskin ano nga relihiyon.

• In the field of tourism, we have taken the steps to intensify our marketing effort in selling our City as a primary hub for our educational and medical tourism initiatives. We have supported the organization of Baybay Hotel Restaurant and Bar Association which will spearhead the promotion of Baybay as a primary tourist destination in Capiz. When we resolve the ownership issue of the La Playa property, this will be the center for events. We would like to express our gratitude to the Capiz Visitors Convention Bureau for their help in facilitating the inflow of events and conferences, that has stirred up economic activity to our blue-collared workers. I would like to congratulate Mr. Bong Maestro, our city tourism officer, Mr. Boy Aguirre and Mr. Bryan Argos for their combined effort for our city tourism.

• Solid Waste Management is a major problem of urbanization. In order to manage this problem we need good collection facilities. We have invested P3M to acquire additional 5 units and currently rehabilitating 3 units of garbage trucks. Given the volume of garbage that we generate, the City cannot do this alone. The key solution to Solid Waste Management is by engaging the community to participate in the collection and segregation efforts. Consistent with this view, we are piloting a Barangay Based Collection System at Barangay Banica. Congratulations Barangay Banica under the leadership of Brgy. Captain Fred Agrazada for buying their own garbage truck. Lastly, we are currently reviewing our segregation schemes. This will, hopefully reduce our solid waste from the source thereby contributing to a better environment. Good luck to all of us on this mission.

LIVELIHOOD GENERATION

Government cannot provide everything for its people, this we must understand. However, government can aid its people with employment and livelihood opportunities.  Roxas City has an alarming unemployment rate and the absence of opportunities compound the problem. We have seen graduates, board passers and even professionals without a job. This we consider a very serious predicament.  My administration cannot turn a blind-eye to this situation and do nothing.

• As an effort to partly address this unemployment issue, for the first time we successfully launched the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Roxas City last February 2008. Its mandate is to generate opportunities for employment. It was able to organize 4 major job fairs and 48 Special Recruitment Activities. As of this date, it was able to facilitate 240 foreign and local employments and referred 2,684 persons for International Deployments. We are making sure recruiters have job orders in order to protect our people from illegal recruitment. Congratulations to the beneficiaries of this program. Because of the achievement of the Roxas City PESO Program, may I present to you, the newly elected Capiz PESO Federation President and nominee to the Best PESO Officer in the Region, our very own, Mila Barquin. Mila please don’t entertain any opportunities abroad.

• Since Diwal is back, it is just fitting to let those who labored for its restoration profit from it. For an area less than a hectare that was harvested, ROCDDA has already earned P378,631.12. If our assessment of 4 hectares total growing area for Diwal this year, we are looking at the ROCDDA as our next millionaire.

• In our effort to stimulate sustainable livelihood among our less fortunate residents, for the first time, we have successfully implemented a micro financing scheme that guarantees return of investment, and not dole-outs. The 38 beneficiaries of the Family Based Action for Children in their Environs in the Slums (FACES) Project in Barangay I, are up-to-date in their loan amortization payments by adopting the simple “Alkansiya Concept” that the city government conceptualized. Because of their success, the project will soon be extended to 4 different barangays within the city. Congratulations to the 38 families kag kay Kapitan Boy Villagracia. Saligi ninyo nga ang inyo nga eksperiensya dal-on namon sa iban nga barangay.

• Our City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWD) on their own effort, have given practical skills training on Dressmaking, Cosmetology, Food Processing and Flower Making to 463 participants. This offers alternative means of earning income for our 463 beneficiaries. Congratulations to our City Social Welfare personnel and good luck to our new entrepreneurs. 

• We introduced the vermiculture and vermin composting in selected coastal barangays, namely Talon, Balijuagan, Sibaguan, Cagay, Culasi Baybay, Cogon, Culajao, Mongpong and Tanza. In addition, we just implemented the Abalone cage culture in partnership with the Dagat sa Isla Olotayan Salbaron Association (DIOSA) and BFAR. This two programs would offer alternative means of livelihood to our fisherfolks. Congratulations to the Fishery Division of the City Agriculture Office under the leadership of Belinda Garido and good luck to our fisherfolks.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The strength of any local government is dependent on the unassailability of its organization.  The organization must have a focused direction, a systematic framework, a proper administrative system, and a sound fiscal position. In order to achieve this organizational transformation, it is imperative we invest in enhancing the skills of our personnel. This would require a paradigm-shift from traditional practices to best practices. Moreover, being sensitive to the basic needs of our constituents is paramount to my administration. Lastly, there is a compelling need to empower, equip and professionalize the bureaucracy.

                In the past year, this local administration has done things to ensure that our local government functions the way it should

• We have organized trainings and seminars for our employees aimed at enriching their concept of public service like the Public Service Excellence, Ethics, and Accountability Program. This allows each and every personnel to better comprehend their role as public servants and improve their approaches to efficient delivery of service.

• In order to improve the efficiency and increase the productivity of our personnel, we enrolled our personnel in computer literacy programs. Furthermore, we have upgraded our Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems to expedite the delivery of our services. We have installed our Local Area Network and PABX systems to enhance our communication, research and planning efforts.

• Due to the combined effort of the City Planning, City Engineering and City Assessors Offices, we have digitized all our tax maps. The database of the tax declarations are currently being encoded at the City Assessor’s Office. We also acquired Global Positioning System (GPS) units thereby improving our direct data capture technology, our Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

• As you may have noticed, we have been continually renovating our offices to provide good working conditions for our personnel that will consequently offer an atmosphere of professionalism to our clientele.

• We have received a number of personal commendations from visitors to our website, as a portal for Roxas City. As a living testament to this, to date, we have 28,180 visits and an average of 300 visits daily. This has opened Roxas City to the rest of the world by just a click of a mouse.

An organization requires policies and legislation aimed at supporting its programs. Our Sangguniang Panlungsod have been actively reviewing and updating our ordinances apart from passing new ordinances.

• Among the more significant policies passed by our Sangguniang Panlungsod are:

• The long-overdue adaptation of our Comprehensive Land Use Plan
• The legislation of our BREQS which allow residents to have their life documents authenticated right here in our local civil registry. 
• Declaring Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center, Libas Fishport, Roxas City Slaughterhouse, Paseo de Cathedral and Dinggoy Roxas Trade Center as economic enterprises. 
• Amendment to the Tricyle Franchising Ordinance increasing penalties on prohibited acts

In order to optimize the utilization of scarce monetary resources, our organization must have sound fiscal policies.

• In the revenue side, the COA Report of 2009 revealed, and I quote, “The net income for the year 2008 was P61,567,507.64, which is higher than that of 2007 net income of P34,803,693.71, an increase by P26,763,813.93 or 77%.

• With regards to  the expenditures side, in 2008 expenses amounted to P254,643,304.09 compared to 2007 expenses of P263,572,619.13, registering a decrease of P8,929,315.04 of 3.38%. This I may say, in confidence, that the city government is stabled financially.

• When we established the Business Permitting “One-Stop-Shop”, we were able to reduce substantially bureaucratic red tape which resulted to efficiency of our service to our business sector. We collected P18.8M in 2008 and P20.4M 2009 compared to only P8.0M in 2007. We would like to extend our gratitude to our business sector for their cooperation, support and trusts to our City Government’s economy. Personal ko kamo nga ginapasalamatan sang inyo pagsalig sa akon administrasyon kag panghimanwa.

• At our local market, the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC) has been efficient in their collection as well. The collection before the end of the year is expected to surpass the collection of last year. In cash tickets alone, we are averaging P.500M a month. It is now considered a revenue generating economic enterprise with the annual collections of P11.1M in 2007 and P12.5M in 2008, an increase of P1.3M or 10%. Bangud sini, ginapasalamatan ko ang mga stall holders kag ang mga magagmay nga manugbaligya sa ila nga suporta kag kooperasyon. Kamu magasalig nga panamion ta pa guid ang pasilidad sang aton TATC para makahatag kita sang mas maayo nga serbisyo sa aton manugbakal. Congratulation to our TATC personnel under the management of Engr. Buddy Bartocillo.

• Our Libas Fishing Port shares the same changes in their income. The Port posted P2.5M in 2007 to P2.9M in 2008, an increase of 14% or P427,844.64 in their revenue. The City has invested P1.5M for improving the facilities to enhance the services being provided to our fish traders and fisherfolks. Congratulations to our Libas Fishing Port Personnel under the leadership of Mr. Nonong Azarcon for this accomplishment.

• The City Slaughterhouse, for the FIRST TIME, since it was established, has surpassed the P1M mark by posting a collection of P1.1M last year. It’s noted that there have been no increase in their fees, yet they have gone beyond expectation. Congratulations to Dr. Dante Corros, the one-man-team of our City Slaughterhouse, for achieving this feat.

• As to date, the City has a cash possession of P234, 566,933.20 compared to P193, 433,941.83 in 2007. This is a P41M or 17% increase in our cash possession. Congratulations to our local finance committee comprised of Gilda Fernando, our City Budget Officer, Lito Almodiente, our City Treasurer, Lorelei Piansay, our City Planning Coordinator and Teresita Bediones, our city accountant.  

Although much has still to be done with the rehashing of our organization, we are off to a good start. What we do here internally greatly affects the delivery of services. In this administration, the attention we give to superior organizational development is a vital priority.  

NEW GOVERNANCE

Ever since I joined the public office, participation, consultation and community mobilization has been the anchor of my administration. Governance in a democratic setting must be founded on the popular opinion and must carry the tenets of transparency, accountability and shared leadership.

• Upon my assumption to office as City Mayor, my initial step was to organize a participatory and consultative workshop for our constituents in order to formulate concrete and tangible programs. This is the Roxas City Strategic Development Agenda which is now the anchor of most of our developmental initiatives.

• We never stopped at the level of the city. We went on to conduct a series of Participatory Planning-Budgeting Workshops for our 47 Barangays and invested P1M. Sa aton mga Barangay Officials nga yari diri subong, saksi kamo kon daw ano yadto ka mabinungahon nga pag-inupdanay. I again ask you to join me as we implement your priority programs in the coming months.

• Sa palaabuton nga mga binulan, expect massive efforts from the Roxas City Government to engage our communities to push the development of the city. We have earmarked 1.2M for the following programs

• The SULONG KAALAMAN which is an effort to enhance the capabilities of our Barangay Kagawad to become practical legislators.

• The SULONG KABATAAN which is an effort to inculcate positive values among our youth and transform them into responsible citizens of this city.

• The SULONG KAMAATUORAN which is an effort to objectively inform our people of the truth and not the lies being spread around.

• In appreciation of our Barangay Officials and Barangay Tanod, I am happy to announce that the City Government is rewarding them with an insurance coverage. Let this be our expression of gratitude for the services you are doing in your respective communities. Thank you to the Sangguniang Members who supported this milestone benefit. May I now call Wilson Acervo, Liga Federation President,  to receive this on behalf of the 1,385 beneficiaries.

CONCLUSION

In the light of all we have accomplished, I wish to highlights our lessons. Let us use these learnings as we endeavor to do more in the coming years, and achieve more of what we are set to do and improve our services to our people.

• We have learned that if we are transparent and able to show to our people where we use that money they are paying in the form of taxes, they are willing to pay them.

• If we are serious of what we intend to do for the betterment of our people, we accomplishes a lot despite financial, physical, technology, legal and political limitations

• If we are consulting our people with what we intend to do for them, they rally their support around us.

• If we build on the capacities of our own employees and hold them accountable for their actions, they will rise over limitations and accomplish their tasks with minimum supervision.

• By and large, if we set aside our own individual ambitions in subservience to the general welfare of our people, we are building strong institutions having the passion and the will for public service.

The road ahead is not easy and in the midst of the challenges that will confront us, I ask each one of us to stand boldly in the side of truth, remain steadfast to our commitment to our people and be professional with our conduct to act with integrity, honesty and justice.

I wish to request the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the passage and approval of landmark and important legislations as follows:

• A comprehensive code governing the management and operations of our economic enterprises making them net-revenue producers that can augment our resource requirements

• A review of the traffic rules and regulations incorporating therein national regulations in order to effectively manage the traffic 

• A review of the existing tax code to incorporate streamlined processes for business permits and licenses, real property tax as well as that the tricycle franchising and regulations.

• An administrative code that will govern the operations of the various departments of the Roxas City Government

• And of course, other urgent measures we need in order to speed up development and effectively carry out our mandate to deliver basic services 

On a more personal note, I wish to thank people and institutions that helped us shaped the NEW Roxas City and inspired us to remain steadfast in the face of the odds.

To Mariter, my children and grandchildren, my brothers and sisters and relatives

To Mrs. Judy Roxas, Senator Mar Roxas and Mrs. Rhea Roxas-Ojeda

To the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

To the Roxas City Government Family

To the other Local Government and national government agencies

To the Barangays of Roxas City

Private sector, Non-Government Organization and Business and Civic groups

To the Media

And to the people of Roxas City

In over-all, I wish to express my gratitude and I am proud to report that the State of Roxas City is STRONG and GOING STRONGER as we endeavor to push REFORMS, DEVELOPMENT and ACCOUNTABILITY

SULONG ROXAS CITY
MADAMO GUID NGA SALAMAT