CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Aiming for excellence and quality public service and to be acknowledged as a model city in countryside development, the city government vowed last Monday to bring vast opportunities through effective and socially inclusive governance as part of its commitment to every Fernandino.
“We in the city government are fervent in forming innovative strategies that will sustain the development of the city and bring vast opportunities to Fernandinos,” said Mayor Edwin Santiago as he narrated some of the big ticket projects that would be implemented in the city’s southern section.
Santiago said the local government is working for gradual metamorphosis of the city to a smart and green city.
Now on its 18th year since the cityhood on Feb 4, 2001 and with the approval of Republic Act 8990, the City of San Fernando, Santiago said, is ripe to showcase its major achievements in terms of local governance and economic developments.
Some of the achievements Santiago mentioned includes:
@ 2018 Seal of Good Local Governance
@ Level ll Blue Certification
@ 2nd Best CDRRMO, National Category
@ Rank 1 in National Achievement Test
@ Tourism hub in the Philippines
@ Increase in Local Income and Total Revenue
@ Increase in numbers of Registered Businesses
@ First City to be K-12 ready
@ Outstanding Early Childhood Care and Development
@ Successful Implementation of Plastic Free Ordinance
@ Sustainable Health Programs
@ Realization of various Flood Mitigation and other infrrastructure projects
It was during the term of former mayor Dr. Rey Aquino when RA 8990 was signed into law making the San Fernando as the 99th city in the country.
This year, the cityhood anniversary activities will be participated by different sectors of society including farmers group, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) group, teachers, youth, senior citizens, business and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Santiago, who is seeking another term in the May mid-term elections, said his administration is training its sights on inclusive growth with close coordination and partnership between the government and private sectors.
“Our dream is to make San Fernando a sustainable city that no one must be left out,” Santiago told reporters during the press conference of “Kaganapan 2019”. -Jess Malabanan