MAASIN City Mayor Nacional Mercado has laid down his priority agenda in his second term at the City Hall.

Mercado, who vowed to perform his duties to the best of his abilities and uphold good governance, said he will focus on transportation infrastructure development to answer the city’s growing lack of urban space.

“Always uphold transparency in government transaction and with the goal to consistently garner the award of Seal of Good Local Governance every year in my administration,” said Mercado, 37, who is a recipient of the Philippine Outstanding Achievement Award in Public Service given by the Philippine Outstanding Achiever Council.

On environmental protection, the mayor will work on proper waste disposal, material recovery facilities, and enhancement of the sewerage system.

The City Government will also push for the installation of closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) within the city and the acquisition of new technology for quick response and crime prevention, he said.

On calamity and disaster preparedness and response, Mercado said the City will work on the acquisition of hand-held radios its 70 barangays can use in case of emergency, while applying its hazard and emergency response plan in case of disasters.

Also, the City will focus on the incorporation of its quick response application to calamity and disaster preparedness, added Mercado.

He also vowed to strengthen existing programs on population control to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancies and spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids).

Under Mercado’s administration, Maasin won the most coveted Department of the Interior and Local Government-Seal of Good Local Governance in 2017 and 2018.

Maasin is also known as Department of Health-Red Orchid Hall of Fame Awardee for implementing 100-percent tobacco-free environment.

“In spite of our limited resources, for we are only fourth-class city, in fact, we are the smallest city in terms of area and Internal Revenue Allotment in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), yet we are big in our dreams and big in our collaborative efforts, which consequently we have been recipient of various national and regional awards and recognitions,” Mercado said earlier.

With over 85,000 population, Maasin became a component city of Southern Leyte province on August 10, 2000.

The city’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) in 2019 has amounted to P545,624,205. For 2020, it has an IRA of P615,211,951.

As of June 30, Maasin has a total of 797 employees, with 386 permanent, 143 casual, and 268 job order workers.