THE Local Development Council of the City Government of San Fernando proposed on Tuesday, December 1, to allocate the highest percentage of the 2021 fund to the economic and social services sector.
This is to efficiently respond to the requirements of the "new normal" and socio-economic recovery by funding Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) that would generate employment and job opportunities for Fernandinos.
For 2021, the City has a funding source of P8,080,855,290.
About 35.41 percent or P2,861,998,000 of the said amount will be used for the economic services sector, which includes the rehabilitation of the City Market Plaza; Smart City Program (Phase II, expanding/upgrading C3 facilities); construction of permanent isolation facilities; and the construction of multi-purpose building (logistics and support services) at the Civic Center.
Further, P2,818,250,690 or 34.88 percent will be allocated for the social services sector. This includes the construction of a new building for the City College of San Fernando, purchase of lot for the offices for logistics and support services, purchase of lots and construction and repair of school buildings, and provision of airtime for FerNanDino Kids TV.
Meanwhile, the general public service sector will have 29.71 percent or P2,400,606,600 of the funding source.
Some projects under this are the establishment of resilient local markets, purchase of road right of way (access road), Giant Lantern Festival, and Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) Plan PPAs.
LDC chairperson Mayor Edwin Santiago believes these PPAs will reinforce the development thrust of the City toward becoming a safer, more resilient, vibrant, technologically driven, and more responsive and inclusive city.
"May pandemya man o wala, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang mga proyekto. At the height of the pandemic, tuloy ang construction natin ng mga economic zones because we want to generate jobs and employment opportunities para sa mga Fernandino para di na nila kailangang umalis ng bansa. Tuloy ang serbisyo publiko ng siyudad," the mayor said.
The third LDC meeting at Tiburcio Hall, Heroes Hall was also attended by Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr.; Vice Mayor Jimmy T. Lazatin; Councilor Benedict Jasper Simon Lagman, Chairperson, Committee on Appropriations, Budget and Finance; department heads; barangay officials; and some representatives from the private sector through face-to-face and Webex conference. (PR)