“Ahong” urges council support

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan will continue to bring basic services closer to his constituents, as he urged the members of the City Council to support and help him in implementing good projects and programs for the city and the people they promised to serve.

"Malaumon ako sa mahulatayon nga suporta sa Lapu-Lapu City Council pinanguluhan ni Vice Mayor Celsi Sitoy aron mapadayon nato ang mga kausaban nga atong nasugdan. My personal appeal to you, suportahi ko ninyo sa akong mga programa kun kini para sa kaayohan sa kadaghanan ug babagi ako ninyo kun kini makadaot sa atong dakbayan," said Chan to the members of the City Council, where majority of them are allied with the Radazas, Chan’s political rival.

Chan said that this is the legacy for which they want to be remembered by their children and the generation to come.

In his more than an hour speech in his State of the City Address First 100 Days of Change, he presented the free health and social services already felt by the 5,259 beneficiaries in nine barangays where the city had conducted the "Libreng Serbisyo Caravan."

Chan also said that the city, in partnership with a private investor, will soon construct a socialized housing in a 25-hectare property in Barangay Canjulao, a project that should have started in 2005.

He also promised to the jam-packed Hoopsdome that there will be "no demolition without relocation," a statement that got loud applause from the audience.  More socialized housing projects will soon be rising in Barangays Pusok, Pajac and Suba-Basbas, he said.

The mayor added that he will put up a mini city hall on Olango Island where services and opportunities in the mainland must also be felt by island residents, including free health and hospital services and other social services.

Chan also lauded the creation of the Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (C-LOSAP) that Gary Lao heads in its efforts to have a drug-free workplace.

The mayor also promised to give more allowance to barangay tanods and members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa as well as more incentives to teachers, persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

He also vowed to apprehend colorum vehicles, as well as impose sanctions on those who illegally park their vehicles along the sidewalk.

He added that the city's more than 200 scholars of the Lapu-Lapu City College will receive P40,000 each as a new course on Tourism Management will be offered.

He added that a mini Hoopsdome will also be constructed inside the school campus, courtesy of Senator Sonny Angara.

Chan further said that a Malasakit Center will also be put up inside the newly-opened Lapu-Lapu City Hospital.

He also promised the indigent residents that they would not be charged for electrical connection permits, hospital consultations and other social services.  GAN (FREEMAN)