“Do not expect us to be supermen and superwomen because we cannot solve the problems of the city in just one day or a year. But if we help each other, we will get there,” Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella yesterday said during their inauguration at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Puentevella yesterday appealed for the cooperation of the people particularly the private sector, as well as the support of other elected officials. Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Anita Chua administered his ceremonial oath of office, while Councilors Claude Puentevella, Sonya Verdeflor, Anna Marie Palermo, Wilson Gamboa Jr. and Jocelle Batapa-Sigue were sworn in by Villamonte Barangay Captain Andre Victor Las Piñas. They were later joined by Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who was present during the thanksgiving mass. Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, Councilors Alex Paglumutan, Caesar Distrito; Carlos Jose Lopez, Em Legaspi-Ang; Roberto Rojas, Mona Dia Jardin and Keith Ramos, all of Grupo Progreso and Councilor Archie Baribar of The Magnificent Seven failed to show up yesterday at the plaza. They had earlier taken their oaths. Puentevella said “Let us set aside politics because there will be will be a time for it after three years. This is the time for change. With consultation from the business sector, we will rise from the ashes of billions of pesos in debt.” He said Bacolod City is a member of the billionaires club but he is claiming that its debt is in billions despite accounting figures already released showing a much lower amount Puentevella said he had waited so long to be able to speak in front of the Bacolodnons at the Bacolod Public Plaza. He said that the public has very high expectations from his administration, especially in solving the traffic woes, garbage, drainage problems, among others, so they will come up with a master plan for Bacolod. They will review and possibly repeal the Revised Revenue Code of the city, which Puentevella claimed had become an added burden to the business community of the city. Puentevella said that starting January, the city will observe monthly festivities to ensure continued influx of local and foreign tourists throughout the whole year. In January, the city will celebrate the feast of San Sebastian with an offering and this will be followed by dancing and drinking, he said. They will also push for the creation of a Bacolod Metro Development Authority Puentevella assured the teachers of higher Emergency Cost of Living Allowance, a creation of a teacher’s village, more classrooms, and a fund for post graduate studies, as well as TESDA scholarships for students and more day care centers. He said the solution to end poverty is only through education, which is a priority of his administration. A PERSONAL PROJECT Puentevella said there will be more funds for health programs especially for his pet project - the MKK or Monico Kabuhi Ko. It was his dream when he was yet a councilor to put up an international convention center in Bacolod, he said, adding that he also aspires to make Bacolod the sports capital of the Philippines. Puentevella also aired his plans of hosting the APEC summit and making the city as the country’s number one in terms of Information Technology (IT). “Now I am your servant leader and you are all our masters. We do not have masters only the Lord and the people especially the masses”, Puentevella said. He also thanked all those who had helped campaign for him especially former Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez and former councilor Lyndon Caña, both of whom lost their bids. During the gala night, Puentevella received tokens from Mayor Kang Seong Ho of South Korea and Nestor Gargarita representing MassKara Bacolod New York Edition that won in a competition held last year. CHANGING COLORS Meanwhile, the roof of the gazebo at the Bacolod Public Plaza, that used to be green, was painted blue for the inauguration, while the zeal of Bacolod City had also turned blue from green.*CGS
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