OFFICIALS, employees and residents of Lapu-Lapu City marked the City’s 54th founding anniversary yesterday with a mass, a short program and a boodle fight.
Mayor Paz Radaza, in a speech in front of City Hall, reiterated her commitment to good governance.
She urged her constituents to “fight anyone or any group who wish to destroy good governance by destroying my administration’s cornerstone: transparency and accountability.”
The two-term mayor, who has yet to announce plans for next year’s elections, has been warning against corrupt and incompetent politicians in her recent speeches.
Yesterday, she said: “I will defend with the last drop of my blood anyone or any group who wants to destroy good governance at City Hall.”
Radaza also lauded City Hall departments and employees in her speech.
Growth
“We’ve made our city grow faster, we’ve increased tourism activities, we’ve provided inclusive growth and we’ve brought back investor’s confidence,” she said.
She cited the recent award the City received from the Department of Finance for having the highest growth rate in locally-sourced income from 2012 to 2014 among 16 cities in Central Visayas.
She then congratulated City Treasurer Elenita Catagcatag and her staff.
Radaza also cited the Seal of Good Governance the City received from the Department of Interior and Local Government for showing good financial housekeeping.
The mayor urged fellow City officials and workers to “keep our brand promise by striving to provide no less than world-class service and world-class amenities.”
Since last year, the City has been promoting itself as “The Historic Resort City” in a bid to draw more tourists.
Yesterday’s Charter Day commemoration started with an early morning mass, followed by a flag-raising ceremony at 7 a.m.
The activity ended with a boodle fight where everybody ate breakfast with bare hands on a long table.