BACOLOD City mayoralty candidates, incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Bacolod Representative Monico Puntevella, Vladimir Gonzales, and Andrea Si laid down their cards Thursday during third Bishop-Media forum held at the Sanctuario de La Salle.
The four local executive bets were given the chance to openly disclose their future plans for the city in the next three years, if given the opportunity to serve the city after May 2010 elections.
Leonardia pointed out to strengthen the government machinery, fortify the delivery of basic services and social services, and to bolster the foundation for economic growth, which is parallel to his vision to develop Bacolod into a modern urban center.
This is a center with excellent basic and social services, safe and peaceful living conditions and a dynamic core for economic growth, development, jobs and livelihood opportunities, and to ensure the faster growth of the sanitary landfill, north bound terminal, new relocation site, 30 beds lying-in clinic, eye center, renovation of Panaad Booth and reconstruction of bridges in Brgy. Banago, Taculing-Alijis area and the Gatuslao extension bridge to Robinsons mall.
Gonzales, on the other hand, also cited his priorities for the city where more export-oriented industries will be supported to create more jobs, promote efficient power generation, access to clean water for all, improve telecommunication facilities, and manpower resource development, among others.
Puentevella, meanwhile, said the next leader of the city must solve the problem of garbage, flood, peace and order, and traffic.
He further stressed to uplift the quality of public education by putting emphasis on academic performance and ensuring that the corresponding and necessary infrastructure and support services are being provided.
He further added that among his other projects are the construction of the 10-kilometer access road from Bacolod to Silay Airport, and the erection of fly-over and six-storey Bacolod Heart, Lung and Kidney Center.
Meantime, Si cited her goal for a conducive and a sustainable development, a minimum of 10 percent annual improvement among the lives of the 30 percent city population, among others.
Following this successful undertaking, the church also plans to hold another conference for, now for the Congressional candidates next month.
These congressional candidates included lawyer Renecito Novero, former Undersecretary Anthony Golez, lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, lawyer John Orola, and former LTO-NCR director Ricardo Tan.
Fr. Felix Pasquin, rector of San Sebastian Cathedral, said this kind of forum will elevate the level of campaigning, "wave from personalities to personalities, issues and programs."
"It's good for the voters' education, which the voters will be educated as to the programs and platforms of the candidates for the City Government," he said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Navarra said Thursday's forum really gathered interests of the electorate most especially the young people.
The bishop hopes that this would also get the interest and good will of many politicians to initiate the same activity.
He also made his appeal to all the voters, especially the young to get interested.