MAYOR Evelio Leonardia has appealed for optimism among Bacolodnons in the light of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, as the City of Bacolod celebrated its 82nd Charter Day on June 18.
As Bacolod had survived the many trying times in the past, so shall our city rise from the challenges of the coronavirus, the mayor said.
The mayor cited the tragedy of the M/V Don Juan, the sugar crisis, and the big fires that hit the city -- all of which Bacolod had weathered through.
"For sure, we are going to survive! It's proven and tested that Bacolod had survived too many crises," he said, in his Charter Day message.
"Never mind the weather as long as we are together," he said.
"But once the weather gets fine, let us do it with a vengeance. Let us take back what we had lost from the coronavirus," he added.
"Bacolod was a settlement, then it became a village, and then it became a city, then a highly urbanized city. After the coronavirus let's make it a super city. Together, we will make Bacolod City great again!" the mayor said.
Leonardia said the Covid problems in Bacolod have somehow been manageable, because of the hard work and team work of the city officials.
The mayor thanked Representative Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and the councilors for working hard with him in the fight against Covid.
He said that before the pandemic had hit the city, Bacolod had been gaining momentum in terms of economic growth.
"We were having all those prosperity activities. That was also the time when Bacolod City was proclaimed as the Best Performing LGU in Western Visayas," he added.
"At that point of time, SM said there is no better time to be in Bacolod than now, business-wise," he said.
That's because growth, progress, and development are interconnected by good governance, the mayor stressed.
Battle vs Covid
Dr. Dolores Rommela Ruiz, who was the guest of honor and speaker at the 82nd Charter Day rites, said: "Covid created a drastic socioeconomic and political impact and we cannot remain in quarantine for long."
She warned though that "we have to be cautious in going back to some degree of normalcy because we can have irreparable damage and consequences."
A specialist in infectious diseases, Ruiz said we have to arm ourselves, "control the reservoir and interrupt transmission (of the virus)."
Ruiz suggested that we must concentrate on preventing the spread of the virus by observing health protocols, like wearing face masks in public places, and observing cough etiquette.
"We have to practice the fundamentals of infection control. It has to be a way of life," she said.
She said we need to have more quarantine facilities as containment measures both in hospitals and the community.
Ruiz also suggested that we strengthen disease surveillance and capacity building, and empower more healthcare workers and the community by training them about best practices.
"I challenge each and every Bacolodnon to stand up and be vigilant. We shouldn't be underestimating the virus that does not sleep. We have to work as one community regardless of your affiliation. We have to overcome this pandemic together," Ruiz added.
United
Gasataya, for his part, said "these past few months have been difficult" because of Covid.
"There was fear and sorrow among us, but we never failed to show the world the kindness and resiliency that rightfully earned our city its title. We remained strong and united despite the unprecedented crisis," he said.
"Bacoleños did not falter. We were in a crisis, we were under a situation that was new to all of us, but we chose to help one another. We chose to be united," he said.
"Covid-19 has made many of our people, especially the poor, vulnerable. But we are united. The history of our city has taught us that when Bacoleños are united, if we speak in one voice, if we move and help each other as one, there is nothing in this world that we cannot overcome," Gasataya added.
Attendees
Attending the Charter Day rites were former Bacolod mayors Luzviminda "Joy" Valdez and Rolando Villamor, Representative Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Renecito Novero, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, Lady Gles Pallen, and Ayesha Joy Villafor.
Joining them were City Administrator Em Ang, Secretary to the Mayor Edward Joseph Cuansing, Executive Assistants George Zulueta, Celestino Guara, Moises dela Cruz, and City Hall department heads, DILG-Bacolod director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, DepEd Bacolod OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Glady Amylaine Sales, Philippine Coast Guard- Negros Occidental provincial head Commander Jansen Benjamin, officials of the Filipino-Chinese community, and representatives of various government agencies.
This was now the second year that the City is celebrating its Charter Day on June 18, after it had celebrated the occasion every October 19 in the past 80 years. (PR)