Sunday, July 08, 2007 Mayor, Council set goals anew
MAYOR Reinaldo Bautista Jr. reiterated his request to be “the driver of Baguio” for the next three years as he steers the “bus for the development of Baguio” during the regular media Ugnayan at the Baguio Country Club.
This, he implored as he mentioned that the administration’s main focus for now, are peace and order, tourism, education, economy and environment, primarily within the central business district (CBD) towards the suburbs.
To accomplish this, Bautista and other elected officials, including city department heads, shall undergo a “consensus building session” to set harmonious relationships as well as be united in the prioritization of city development projects.
A facilitator from Hawaii, USA shall assist during the joint executive-legislative forum, the mayor said.
Result of these endeavors shall be reported to the city’s constituents during the 100th day of Bautista’s administration or on October 8.
Included in the priority projects, he added, is a cleaner and decongested market through night and flea markets, and the promotion of the city’s One-Town, One-Product (Otop).
A clean-up of the market includes the decongestion of Lapu-lapu and Lakandula streets, and removal of illegal vendors and possible transfer to available spaces, Bautista said.
While other towns in the Cordilleras focused on rice, rice wine, coffee and other agricultural products, and the city’s former Otop was silver, Bautista said the city’s new Otop shall be the human resources from information technology (IT) companies, such as call centers and medical transcription companies operating within Baguio.
Outlook in those employment areas seem bright with the expansion in the Philippine Economic Zone, the mayor said, adding that investments poured in these areas would help improve the economy.
The 38-year-old mayor, named acting mayor when then Mayor Braulio Yaranon was ordered suspended, said he would go “slowly and carefully, though aggressively,” in managing the city’s affairs.
“I am a very careful and cautious driver,” he stressed. (Julie Fianza)
(July 8, 2007 issue) Write letter to the editor. Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
