STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS 2012
Hon. Paz C. Radaza
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor
July 25, 2012, Hoops Dome
OLANGO:
LAPU-LAPU’S NEW TOURISM FRONTIER
Hon. Congressman Arturo “Boy” Radaza, Hon. Vice-Mayor Marcial Ycong, Honorable Members of the City Council, Barangay Officials, fellow workers in government, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Oponganons… good morning!
Last year, when I delivered my first state of the city address right on this very podium I shared to you Lapu-Lapu City’s experiences with rapid urbanization.
I made a pact with you that I will address the challenges that a fast growing city brings.
ECONOMY
Under my watch, the city’s economy continues to grow even more.
As I stand here, to report to you the
state of the city, I am proud to inform my fellow Oponganons that I have kept my promise to manage well, a booming metropolis.
Real property transfer tax doubled from 18
million pesos in 2010 to 39 million pesos in
2011.
This is a manifestation of how brisk the real
estate business in our city, is.
The city has posted a steady growth shown by the increase on income from local sources – separate from the Internal Revenue Allotment – from 23.4 percent in 2010 to 26.2 percent this year.
Tax collection target excluding IRA overshot by almost 40 percent in 2011.
To the men and women who worked tirelessly to collect the taxes due to the city, thank you.
I call on the city treasurer to raise next year’s target to a level never tried before.
You have proven time and again that you can exceed expectation.
Let us take on the challenge and step away
from our comfort zone.
Another proof of a fast growing local economy is the steady increase of the number of businesses.
We have recorded a total of 9,527 businesses as of June 2012 compared to the 7,323 of the same period last year.
The entry of multi-billion investments in the city is a seal of good housekeeping.
The city will be home to MacroAsia and Properties Development Corporation located at the Mactan Cebu International Airport with Lufthansa Technik Philippines, a competence center for the maintenance and overhaul of Airbus aircrafts, among its locators.
Megaworld is investing 10 billion pesos to develop Mactan Newtown, a 16 hectares commercial development project.
Metro Gaisano is the third Gaisano mall that is coming to the city.
In order for the city to deliver quality service to its constituents, it needs to collect taxes.
The last time the city’s real property tax code was revised, was in 1993.
The real property tax code is supposed to be revised every three years. But since 19 years ago it has not undergone any revision until only last year.
Implementing a tax increase always requires political will because it is not a popular move.
I am happy to report to you that due to the revision of the real property tax code we have increased collection by 65 percent, amounting to 47 million pesos
in the first quarter of this year compared to 28 million in the first quarter of 2011.
PEACE AND ORDER
Last year, I challenged the police to bring down our crime statistics, and they did.
The police has reduced the crime volume by 11 percent.
The city has provided a space inside our new tourism building for the Tourist Police Office.
We have installed all over the city visual ads “Be Safe, Be Secured” to announce the police hotline numbers.
This program is now being copied by other
LGUs in other parts of the region.
The city government has allocated funds for firearms proficiency and additional
funding for criminal investigators training.
We also donated ten desktop computers for the recently launched e-blotter program.
We have provided ten collapsible police outposts to increase police visibility.
I led the inauguration of the new Lapu-Lapu City Police headquarters.
Our non-index crime increased 11 percent. This is a welcome development. This means our police force is out working on the field going after criminal elements.
The city’s index crime has decreased by 25
percent from July 2011 to June 2012.
Compared to January to May last year and to the same period this year, our police has increased their crime clearance efficiency by 10 percent.
This means suspects were positively identified and cases were filed in court.
Peace and order is one of the top priorities under my administration.
TRAFFIC
Traffic is a by-product of progress and
development but the city cannot tolerate traffic congestion. It turns off investors and reduces our people’s productivity.
Our City Traffic Management System or (CTMS) implemented several re-routing schemes and a coding system.
These efforts decongested traffic in barangay Basak, Maximo V. Patalinghug Avenue and barangay Poblacion.
The CTMS has also implemented a traffic
scheme at the intersection near the foot of the first Mactan-Manduae Bridge. This eased up congestion in the area.
We have installed iron railings at the right most side of the road from gate two of MEPZ up to the corner leading to the Cebu Yacht Club.
This allowed orderly loading and unloading of PUJ passengers
SOLID WASTE
A few months ago, along with all the barangay captains, we were threatened with a suit for alleged violation of R.A. 9003 otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”.
Nasayop sila ug pili ani nga isyu batok kanamo kay daghan kaayo ta ug nahimo aning dapita.
More than half of the 19 mainland barangays have already constructed their own Material Recovery Facility or (MRF) while others have included it in their budget.
That is why the volume of garbage that is sent to the city’s MRF has further reduced.
We have purchased a bio-reactor equipment that allows us to compose two tons of biodegradable per day.
Aside from the manual production of 4,000 to 5,000 4-inches of hollow blocks each month, we have also purchased a 6-inch mechanical hollow blocks maker that can produce 10,000-12,000 hollow blocks per month using residual waste.
It is used for the construction of comfort rooms in schools, small offices and other city projects.
We have entered into a contract with FDR CON Company Incorporated for the collection and disposal of the city’s residual wastes.
Under the law, ang mga barangay mao gyud ang in charge sa pagpangolekta sa basura. Pero ang atong dakbayan nipalit pa gyud ug additional nga siyam ka mga garbage trucks para kanunay limpyo ang atong siyudad.
We have purchased three more motorcycles to increase to ten the fleet used by a task force that goes around the city to inspect the efficient collection of garbage.
My administration has appropriated 20 million pesos for the FULL CLOSURE of the existing dumpsite.
ROADS
I know there are complaints about the state of some of our city roads and I am aware of your concerns.
That is why I have created a 24/7 road maintenance task force. They are responsible to provide patching works.
We identified 27 priority roads that need immediate concreting. I am happy to report to you that 18 of which or 67 percent have already been cemented.
We have also identified another 14 roads that need asphalting. As of today, six or 43 percent have been addressed.
We also funded an additional 12 million pesos for the asphalting of
roads in some parts of Basak-Kagudoy, Sangi-Seawage, Gun-ob-Carajay,
Buaya-Bankal and Marigondon roads.
I know that traffic in Basak is an utmost concern.
At this time 75 percent or 3.2 kilometers of the 4.3 kilometer Aviation road is already finished.
I assure you that we will fast track the completion of this road to decongest Basak traffic.
In 2011 until the first half of 2012, We have concreted 13 roads in the mainland.
Here are five of the 13 roads that have been concreted.
Aviation road towards Barangay Buaya
Sangi Cemetery Road
Timpolok-Babag road
Mahayahay, Bankal road
Fuentes, Pajac Road
In Olango Island, we have concreted Barangay Talima road to Causeway road and Caw-oy road.
Allow me to explain to you the status of a portion of Mactan circumferential road particularly at Sitio Masiwa, Marigondon.
This is a national road which is being maintained by the DPWH.
We already sent a letter to DPWH 6th District and was told that the road works in the area could not continue due to lack of funds. This is unacceptable.
I will be sending a letter of request to President Benigno Aquino III to intervene in our behalf so that the stretch of that road can be completed the soonest time possible.
As to the Ibabao-Agus road, the inconvenience we are all experiencing was due to the pipe laying works undertaken by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District or (MCWD).
My office has repeatedly sent communications to the MCWD to fast track the rehabilitation of the said road. I urged them not to delay repair works any further.
DRAINAGE
We have prioritized the drainage requirement in Basak, being the lowest part of the city and the most vulnerable to flooding.
We will be installing a new drainage system at Jorge Tampus St. parallel to the existing drainage line.
The city has already allocated 25 million pesos for this project. This will help ease the problem of flooding in Basak.
ENVIRONMENT
In our continued pursuit to protect and preserve our environment, the city has created the Lapu-Lapu City Environment and Natural Resources Office or (CENRO), a department that would cater to all matters, issues and problems regarding solid waste management, water pollution, air pollution, coastal and marine resources protection and conservation.
To preserve Olango’s fragile ecosystem and to attract more tourists, we are also constructing a MRF in the island.
We have initiated mangrove rehabilitation and reforestations along eight coastal barangays covering a total area of 20 hectares.
The city council has approved an ordinance regulating the operations of jet skies, wave runners, parasailing, banana boat riding and other water sports activities.
We have established an 8.8 hectares marine sanctuary in barangay San Vicente.
TASK FORCE KALIKASAN
A year after the creation of Task Force Kalikasan or (TFK), we have made headways in the campaign against illegal fishing.
Over 100 thousand pesos worth of paraphernalia and dynamited fishes were confiscated by the task force. Forty-seven violators were arrested and charged.
In cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) we have provided our fisher folks with an alternative livelihood to prevent them from engaging in destructive dynamite fishing.
Our TFK has rescued a number of hawksbill sea turtles, an endangered specie included in the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
I personally witnessed the successful release of these marine animals at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa marine sanctuary.
The TFK has confiscated three million pesos worth of endangered marine resources.
Let us all take a stand to protect and save the environment, after all our life and our tourism industry depends on it.
HEALTH
For four consecutive years now, our city has been a recipient of the Outstanding City Nutrition Award in Central Visayas given by the National Nutrition Council of Manila.
This is a result of our program that provides a kilo of rice a day for three months to families with malnourished children.
The city has appropriated counterpart funding to most national government health programs to ensure efficient delivery of health services.
Because of this, we are the only LGU in the whole Central Visayas to get a rated A from the Department of Health for providing excellent health care to our constituents.
I would like to report to you that we have reduced the incidence of dengue by 40 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
To enhance our health facilities, I have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Aboitiz Foundation for the expansion and procurement of modern equipment of the Pediatrics and Obstetrics Ward of the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital amounting to 2.5 million pesos.
I have strengthened our healthcare program by renewing our two-year coverage with PhilHealth Insurance.
This will benefit around 17,000 indigent families. This cost the city around nine million pesos.
In addition, the city government has also enrolled over 6,000 of our constituents to the PhilHealth program funded by the national government.
Under the Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Care Program, we have given Tetanus Toxoid vaccination, Vitamin A and Folic Iron supplements to our pregnant and lactating mothers.
To all children from ages 0 to 72 months, we have given micronutrient supplementation.
We have trained 620 community health team volunteers to assist our city health personnel.
I have converted health centers to birthing homes to maximize their use.
This year, I have added a total of six birthing homes, one each in barangays Sta. Rosa, Pajo, Babag, Soong 2 Mactan, Basak and Marigondon.
I am pleased to tell you that our PhilHealth beneficiaries can avail free of charge the services in our birthing homes.
Pero, Una Pa! Dili ni magpasabot ha nga mag lumba nalang tag panganak kay lagi libre man.
HUMAN RESOURCE
To improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public,
we have already set up public assistance and complaints desk. We are already observing the “no noon-break policy”.
At city hall, we have started to implement the biometric system to replace the bundy clock.
Salaries of our employees will soon be disbursed through the ATM.
SOCIAL WELFARE
My administration has given its full support to the national government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
In fact two days from now, our city will be a showcase as model implementer of the Pantawid program.
As of today, a total of 42 million pesos have been disbursed to 1, 700 of the
poorest of the poor since the program started two years ago.
To provide economic opportunities to the gay sector of our society, we have launched the “Mahuyang Alang sa Kalamboan” or MASK Project.
We have organized the Disabled Persons Welfare Program to provide persons with disabilities the privileges and discounts on medicines and groceries.
The city government has also constructed a 10 million peso building for persons with disability or (PWD) at Tugas, Gun-ob. It is compliant with the accessibility law.
The facility is open to children and adults. It will have in-house occupational and physical therapists to serve the needs of the PWDs.
My administration has also constructed a Homecare Center for females to separate them from the males. This has a budget of 6.5 million pesos.
This center accommodates minors in need of special protection and temporary custody.
Through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, we have released to 700 recipients 2.5 million pesos worth of senior citizen burial assistance.
The city has also provided 14 million pesos worth of cash assistance to 14 thousand senior citizens.
My administration is determined to provide a better quality of life to our people particularly the marginalized sector of our society.
Our City Social Welfare Department or CSWD is at the forefront of this effort.
EDUCATION
Improving the quality of our education has always been one of the city’s top priorities.
Thus, we have worked hand in hand with the Department of Education in developing the talents, skills and academic performance of our students.
To reduce the classroom shortage, we have constructed 18 additional classrooms located in Babag National High School, Marigondon National High School, Bagong Silang Elementary School and Poblacion Elementary School.
We still have around 500 classroom shortfall but I am hopeful that, soon, we will be able to receive the payment of taxes worth 1.5 Billion pesos from the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority.
A big portion of it will be used to build new classrooms.
While we are experiencing the lack of classrooms in our public schools, I have made sure that the city would not run short of teachers.
The city has employed additional 108 elementary and 66 secondary locally paid teachers to add to our teaching force.
Congressman Arturo “Boy” Radaza is assisting the local government in providing more teachers.
These teachers will be receiving 14th month bonuses and other benefits equal to those of the nationally paid tutors.
I am happy to report to you that we have made considerable achievements in the area of education due to our close collaboration with the Department of Education.
SPORTS
To inspire our athletes and coaches to train harder and improve their performance, the city council has passed an ordinance providing cash incentives to those well performing athletes.
Under the new ordinance, a gold medal is equivalent to a cash incentive of 3,000 pesos, silver is 2,000 pesos, and bronze 1,500 pesos.
A winning coach and trainer will also receive 1,000 pesos.
The city has released cash incentives to our local athletes who harvested medals during the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association Games held in Tagbilaran, Bohol from late last year.
CITY COLLEGE
Knowing the importance of tertiary education, the Lapu Lapu City College has significantly increased its enrollment.
From just 334 in its first year of operation in academic year 2010-2011, we now are serving a total of 1,124 students as of first semester for academic year 2012-2013.
I would like to inform you that our city college students have maintained a 100 percent passing percentage in the NC2 TESDA examination.
In my report to you last year, I vowed that the city will be constructing a building for the Lapu-Lapu City College.
Now, an initial two storey building is nearing completion. It will have 15 classrooms in a 3.3 hectare lot.
COOPERATIVES AND LIVELIHOOD
As your first woman mayor, I have given emphasis on the Kababayen-an Program that I created to enable women to have a livelihood.
Last year 6,000 Kababayen-an members were given livelihood skills training. This year that number has more than doubled.
The Kababayen-an federation now has a total asset of three million pesos.
A mother of three residing in Abuno, Pajac was in and out of a job. As a contractual worker she lived her life filled with uncertainty.
Walay kasiguruhan ang iyang inadlaw adlaw nga pagpangita. Isip usa usab ka inahan akong (mabati) ang iyang kahingawa.
Now she works full time as In-charge of the Production of Hugpong Kababayen-an sa Pajac. The group produces dishwashing liquid, fabric conditioner, powdered detergent bar.
She earns 3,000 pesos a month with an additional income of 1,500 pesos during times when they have to work extra.
Mrs. ALONA ALEGRES AMISTAD, who I invited to my SOCA is right here with us.
Please stand up and be recognized. She is here as living proof that your city government is indeed helping women earn a decent living.
Mrs. JOSEPHINE SAGARINO NGUJO is also here with us today. Please stand up and be recognized.
She is a mother of four. She was once a plain housewife with no real work. She is from barangay Gun-ob.
Sa una usa siya ka “mananabtan” sa ilang lugar.
Today, she now serves as In-charge and conducts training for Cake and Food Production at Gun-ob Kababayen-an Producers Cooperative.
Her income allowed her to buy a butane gas stove that is used to cook decent meals for her family. She has settled her debt and has a steady income.
These two hardworking women are proof that the Kababayen-an program is successful.
The Kababayen-an are into the catering services and cake production for senior citizen birthdays.
They have produced for the city almost 11,000 birthday cakes with a total gross sale of more than five million pesos.
For several months now we have been producing a weekly activity at the Liberty Shrine. Every Saturday we have the Fun Nights where we showcase our local talents.
It is also a livelihood opportunity for the Kababayen-an.
I call on our people to support the activity by having your Saturday night dinner with your family at the Liberty Shrine,
there you can enjoy the variety show that is produced by the Dep-Ed.
WE CARE
As our city progress, establishments like amusement centers, billiard and dart halls, and internet cafes proliferate.
I have received complaints from parents regarding the operation of some of these businesses despite an ordinance that prohibits students to enter these establishments during class hours.
My office organized the “We CARE” Task Force which stands for “City’s Advocacy for Responsible Enterprise”.
This task force is in charge of implementing the city ordinances nga nag-dili sa pagpasulod sa mga tinun-an sa mga internet cafes sa oras sa tingklase kung walay written consent sa maestro o kuyog nga ginikanan og pagregulate sa mga videoke bars, billiard and dart halls ug tanang balay kahilayan.
Since the task force creation, the city has already closed 25 establishments in violation of local ordinances.
This campaign will not work without your support.
Maong gi-awhag nako ang tanan sa pagtaho sa atong buhatan kung aduna kamoy makit.an nga nakalapas
sa maong balaodnon aron mapahamtangan sa tukmang silot.
URBAN POOR
Last year, 63 families were given a relocation site and building materials by the city, today, they are now fully settled in a place that they can now call their own.
I have expanded the Urban Poor Office to better serve the needs of its stakeholders. It is now located at the former ABC building.
I expect the Urban Poor Office to carry on the advocacy that Mrs. Erlinda Beduya promoted when she left this earth with her boots on.
EMPLOYMENT
To address the continuing demand for employment, the city’s Public Employment Service Office or PESO
has organized four job fairs.
These activities allowed the hiring of more than 1,000 applicants on the spot.
From July 2011 to date, the PESO office managed to provide employment locally to 3,215 and 764 overseas walk-in applicants.
The PESO has instituted the Barangay Recruitment Activity to bring the services of the PESO closer to the job seekers.
I have also provided them a bigger office. It is now located at the old ABC building.
DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has drawn a comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan based on the conceptual cycle of Disaster.
The plan prioritizes the provision of Structural Measures such as the construction of sea walls along the coastal barangays in Olango Island that are prone to high waves during typhoons, the construction of detention pond at Bagong Silang Elementary School in Barangay Pajac, and de-clogging of the existing drainage system.
ONE STOP SHOP
With the adoption of the Minimum Standards on BPLS Streamlining,
it is now easy, fast and convenient to process business permits.
From the usual seven or more days of processing, the city can now issue a business permit in just one day.
We have created a “One Stop Shop” at the lobby of the city hall to facilitate the ease in applying for a business permit. It even offers free coffee at the cafe near it.
CITY VETERINARIAN OFFICE
The national government has targeted a rabies-free country in 2020. My administration is targeting to free the city from rabies in 2015.
To date, we have already vaccinated 50 percent of dogs. We are right on schedule.
The city slaughterhouse aims to get a triple A rating by the National Meat Inspection Service.
Construction of the slaughter house building is finished and we are now working on phase two, the installation of the mechanized equipment.
INFRASTRUCTURE
In our effort to provide efficient service to the people of Lapu-Lapu, the city has constructed three units of two-storey buildings namely the Tourism building, the Association of Barangay Council (ABC) building and the newly-inaugurated Police Headquarters.
Our people deserve only the best service from the city government.
BARANGAY COORDINATING OFFICE
Through Executive Order No. 2010-83, I created the Barangay Coordinating Office or (BCO).
The unit has been very helpful in information dissemination among the barangays regarding our city programs and activities.
They have been instrumental in implementing the programs of the city.
Kanang pagpatuman sa pagpanghatag ug birthday cakes alang sa mga senior citizens, ang BCO ang responsable niana.
The strengthening of our local economy, the progress and development that our city is experiencing and the rapid urbanization that Lapu-Lapu City is facing have brought us many challenges
but we have shown to you that your city government can keep up with the enormous tasks ahead.
We have proven to you that we are capable of moving our economy forward.
Now we are ready to embark on a new challenge and that is Olango.
TOURISM
When I first took office two years ago, I immediately focused my attention on tourism. Since then, I have never wavered in my belief that tourism is the backbone of our local economy.
Our tourism industry, mostly contained in the mainland is without a doubt fully established.
We have world class resorts and the infrastructure to compete with other equally famous tourism destinations.
That is why the city government constructed a brand new tourism building as a testament of my administration’s all out support to the tourism industry.
In due time, the new tourism building will become the nerve center of our tourism stakeholders where road maps and programs will be drawn up complete with the necessary funding to stay ahead of competition.
As the city continues to move forward, I would like to announce the opening of Olango Island as the new tourism frontier.
While Lapu-Lapu City’s mainland has the facilities, infrastructure and the five star service that the industry can offer
we need to develop new attractions to stay ahead of this highly competitive tourism market.
The city government will embark on a sustainable tourism program by developing Olango Island as a showcase of the local government’s role in managing the natural and cultural resources that tourism relies on.
The city government will initially provide the core infrastructure, attractions and facilities.
By opening up Olango Island as the new tourism frontier, we can truly say it is DOUBLE THE FUN in Lapu-Lapu City.
We have the famous sun and sand tourism along the east coast of Mactan Island.
Now we will have Olango Island as our city’s newest tourism product – one that is anchored on ecotourism or nature tourism.
The tremendous growth in sustainable tourism is due to the global awareness of the importance of the environment.
I want this plan to be founded on the principles of community-based tourism. Let it start with a home stay program
where tourists can immerse on the beauty of the island, the history and heritage; and the hospitality of its people.
I want to create a low intensity, high value tourism attraction devoid of large infrastructures in Olango Island.
I want tourists to visit Olango where they can horseback ride or bike around the island.
I want visitors to avail of home stay lodging or set up camp in soon to be identified camp sites.
I foresee guests in the island to kayak in the waters of barangay San Vicente and Pangan-an Island on a full moon, go bird watching at the Olango Bird Sanctuary and snorkeling at the Talima Marine Sanctuary.
The city will also establish adventurous hiking trails to allow visitors to experience the real outdoors.
As we develop and package the new tourist attraction in Olango Island, I would like the planners to involve the community in this program.
I want the program to touch the lives of every person in the island as we help them increase their capacity to earn and to provide them with a much better quality of life.
Many houses in Olango are small and made of light materials. These homes can be turned into bed and breakfast for tourists.
The islanders hospitality backed by seminars and trainings that the city will provide will equip them with the capacity to offer home stay to visitors.
The city will also organize the women sector to provide food outlets and basic amenities that tourists will need when they stay in the island. We will also train the men to act as guides and stewards of the environment.
I call on the tourism commission to immediately draw up a master plan that would push for a community-based tourism that will benefit the key players in the tourism industry.
I want the plan to address the quality, best practices and sustainability of the natural, cultural and business environments.
Lapu-Lapu City will develop and promote ecotourism as a tool for sustainable development in Olango and Mactan Islands.
Ten days from now our city will host Cobra Energy Drink Iron Man 70.3 Philippines. This will be the largest gathering of domestic and foreign athletes in the city – 1,700 of them.
For months now the city government has been preparing for this international triathlon.
Sports tourism continues to be a pillar of our city’s tourism program. It is a tourism product that Lapu-Lapu is able to offer with great advantage. We have the resorts, this Hoops Dome and the human resource to handle international sports activities.
I call on every Oponganon to help the city roll out the red carpet. Let us show them our warm hospitality.
On August 5, the road from the second bridge to Pusok, Ibo, Mactan and Punta Engano will be closed for eight hours to give way for the race.
I would like invite you to go to the streets and watch and cheer for the triathletes, among them are Richard Guiterrez, Matteo Guidicelli, Jennelyn Mercado and Piolo Pascual.
The city will deploy along the race route around 25,000 well wishers on that day.
There will be 65 vintas that will line the Hilutungan Channel. They will be stationed in front of Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa, Movenpick Hotel Cebu and at the Portofino Beach Resort to cheer the swimmers.
A jelly fish catching contest will also be held a few hours before the event to ensure that the sea where the swimmers will compete will be free from sting.
To those living along the race route from Pusok to Punta Engano please make sure to keep at bay your animals.
The bike leg of the competition must be kept safe by freeing the streets of stray animals. Let us not allow any accident to happen because of a stray dog or cat or worse because of a stray cow.
By mid afternoon on August 5, Lapu-Lapu City will hold “Race Dance”, a street party to celebrate the city’s success in hosting
the world class event. It will also provide a venue where tourists and Oponganons party.
The Race Dance will have six disco stations among the many features of the event. These stations will be brought to us by the different mainland barangays.
To the barangay captains, my heartfelt gratitude for your support in making the hosting of Iron Man a success.
The two-day Kadaugan Street Party last April generated around 300,000 guests compared to only 60,000 in 2011.
Make no mistake about it, my administration considers tourism as a driver of our local economy.
We should inculcate in each one of us the culture of tourism.
We should keep our surroundings clean, we must make our visitors feel safe and we should always give them our warm hospitality.
My beloved Oponganons, let us join hands in making Lapu-Lapu City the tourism capital of the country.
Let us continue to stay united and leverage on the political stability that we have been enjoying, to move our economy forward, invite new investors and provide a better quality of life to our people.
It is double the fun in Lapu-Lapu City.
