Mayoralty bet sees a ‘greater City of San Fernando’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Reelectionist Dr. Reynaldo B. Aquino expressed his vision for a “better and greater” City of San Fernando as he announced on Tuesday his partial line-up for 2013’s elections.

Aquino said he is “offering himself in service once more.” He was the first city mayor of San Fernando from 1995 to 1994. He also occupied a congressional seat in 2004 to 2007 and has vast experiences in government service culled from various positions, including being president of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

“This is the beginning of my journey back to city hall where I bring with me a complete vision of a greater city and a better place for governance, as I accept the challenge for a brighter future for the City of San Fernando,” said Aquino.

Aside from continuing the good projects of the current administration, Aquino said he will push for stronger health programs that are truly responsive to the needs of Fernandinos; creation of more health units to match the growing population; a local PhilHealth center; provision of essential medicines; accreditation of the City College and improvement of students’ performance in the National Achievement Test, which he noted was very poor; full scholarships more financial assistance for indigent students; upliftment of teachers’ welfare; addressing unemployment; enhanced peace and order, including installation of CCTV cameras in strategic areas; creation of a Rescue 911 system; and effective solid waste management and environmental programs.

“It’s a total package of better services and programs we envision once we are given the chance by Fernandinos. That is why I am offering myself to serve Fernandinos again given that we are proven and dedicated. In fact, I personally told the President [that] I serve at your pleasure after I left PhilHealth. I believe that what I have gained in experience during the past years of government service I should give back to the City of San Fernando and the right time is now,” added Aquino.

Members of his team -- wannabe councilors Angie Hizon, Puring Bamba, Jay Cuyugan, Jay Patio, Jep Miranda, Ray Pekson Jr., Harvey Quiwa plus incumbent Councilor Ayzel Macalino -- all professed to support Aquino in his comeback quest.

The team plans to ally with local Kambilan and Vice President Jejomar Binay’s PDP-Laban in 2013. It was Aquino who propelled the city to its Gawad Galing Pook Award, conversion of the capital town into a component city, investments boom and saving San Fernando from lahar in 1991.