OLONGAPO CITY– The recent Radyo Bandera Mayoralty Debate put a spotlight on candidate Dr. Arnold Vegafria’s advocacies.
The mayoralty candidate’s approach to infrastructure and government services earned praise from viewers of the debate.
Vegafria also stated that all candidates running for mayor in Olongapo City are friends, and that their differing opinions are what drive them to run for the city’s top position.
Vegafria, incumbent Vice Mayor Jong Cortez, incumbent Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., and Barangay Captain Echie Ponge took part in the debate.
During the discussion, Vegafria shared plans to build a new Olongapo City Medical Hospital that will provide much-needed medical services to Olongapeños.
“I will have the Department of Health manage the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital while we build our new, modern hospital, which will also be under the DOH. As for the employees, they cannot be removed — there’s already a shortage of jobs in the city, so why would we terminate anyone?” Vegafria stated.
“Our Internal Revenue Allotment is substantial, yet we lack facilities, free medicine, and all we hear are complaints from patients,” he added.
He also revealed his waste management modernization program, specifically the “Waste to Steam Convert to Energy” project, which aims to generate clean energy from trash. He emphasized that the initiative would be a public-private partnership between the waste management company and the city government.
Vegafria was praised for his quick and intelligent responses to the debate panel.
“Modernization programs in waste management, tourism attractions, beach rehabilitation, creation of an economic zone, computerization and automation of all public services including utilities and city hall, rebuilding the tourism industry, and most importantly, job generation,” he said.