“IN UNITY, there is strength,” thus says housing developer and infrastructure builder Vladimir “Vladi” Gonzalez, adding it is a timely theme for the gathering of the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) Class ’75 alumni recently.

Gonzalez, who was invited as the guest speaker for the occasion by class president Edsel Gonzales Vaflor, stressed that “this is our time to unite in common purpose to make Bacolod, a city we can be proud of.”

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

He also urged the NOHS class ’75 alumni to take an active part in putting the city in order and to share their wisdom, talent and blessing “in our quest for the much needed change.”

“I ask you to help our city and our people,” Gonzalez appealed to the gathering as he confirmed his serious intention to run for mayor in the city.

He stressed that “our strategy is founded on the premise that good governance is anchored on honesty, transparency, participatory and accountable discharge of public office and that enhancement in the delivery of basic services is a function of economic growth.”

He pointed out that “improvement in the economy means more jobs and opportunities that would ultimately reduce the need for welfare programs, widened tax base for greater revenues to finance infrastructure projects and support social services.”

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on July 4, 2009.