TOMORROW (March 1), Muntinlupa will observe its 27th anniversary as a city. It was on this day that former President Fidel V. Ramos, Muntinlupa's most famous adopted son, signed Muntinlupa's city charter, which converted Muntinlupa into a highly urbanized city. The law was ratified in the plebiscite held simultaneously with the 1995 local elections.
Traditionally, the incumbent mayor uses the occasion to deliver the State of the City Address to render a public accounting of how he managed the affairs of the city and to lay down plans for the coming year.
Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi, who is winding down the second of his non-consecutive nine-year terms, is expected not only to review the whole range of his legacy projects but also to formally endorse his potential successor, incumbent Congressman Rufino Rozanno Biazon. Vice President Leni Robredo, who has consistently supported Fresnedi's initiatives, is expected to attend as a special guest.
Early in January every year, I make it a point to visit the Business Permit and License Office to renew my business permit and the Treasurer's Office to pay my realty taxes. I am usually told that I don't have to personally pay my dues and that I could just send a messenger. My usual reply: I don't really mind. It is so convenient paying taxes in Muntinlupa. On top of that, I immediately see where my taxes are being spent. It is exactly the same reason why the top Muntinlupa taxpayers -- Filinvest Alabang Inc., Ford Group Philippines Inc., Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Amkor Technology Phils Inc., Filinvest REIT Corporation (formerly Cyberzone Properties Inc.), Filinvest Land Inc./Festival Supermall, Alabang Commercial Corporation, Capital One Philippines Support Services Corporation, SMC Skyway Corporation, Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. -- consistency pay big in Muntinlupa.
Because of improved collection efficiency, the City Treasurer reported a collection of P6.4 billion in 2021, up from P2.6 billion in 2012. This has allowed Fresnedi to embark on a massive land banking program, involving the purchase of a total of 12.81 hectares of land for the construction of priority education, health, housing, public safety, and recreation projects of the city.
The improved fiscal position of the city also enabled Fresnedi to pre-pay a P1 billion bank debt, settle P330 million in unpaid obligations to the national government and wipe out a P228 million cash deficit. Approximately P189 million was set aside annually to fund a massive scholarship program, which has benefitted 180,000 students to date and an interest-free loan program for micro-entrepreneurs. Still, Fresnedi made it a point to set aside funds to be able to lend a helping hand to other LGUs beset by natural and man-made calamities.
In coordination with national agencies, especially with the office of Vice President Leni Robredo, Muntinlupa implemented what is arguably one of the best LGU responses to Covid-19. Some 489,321 or 128 percent of the target population have been vaccinated as of February 17. Of this number, 440,372 or 115 percent of target have been fully vaccinated. At one point, Muntinlupa registered an all time low of five active cases. This has enabled Fresnedi to join the Metro Mania Council in recommending the downgrade to Alert Level 1 effective March 1.
To start the day, Fresnedi is scheduled to inaugurate the Muntinlupa Aquatic Center which was built on a one-hectare property a stone's throw from the Muntinlupa Sports Center -- the venue of the badminton competition during the SEA Games.
Other previously inaugurated projects under Fresnedi's land-banking program are the following:
* A high school building, a health center, and BALAI Muntinlupa (a housing project for city employees) at a 4.3 hectare area in Lakeview, Putatan
* Colegio de Muntinlupa erected on 1.6 hectares in Barangay Sucat
* 2 Senior High School buildings, 1 Tech-Voc building on 1.6 hectares also in Barangay Sucat
* 1 Senior High School building (in coordination with former Rep. Rodolfo Biazon) on 1.5 hectares in Barangay Cupang
* Bahay Pagasa in Barangay Putatan
* Lakeview Senior High School in Putatan
* Junior High School in Putatan
* Emergency evacuation and a health center in Barangay Poblacion
* Expansion of the city cemetery in Barangay Putatan
* Parking lot behind city hall
* Expansion of BJMP facilities in Barangay Putatan
Other ongoing projects include the expansion of the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, in coordination with Rep. Rufino Rozzano Biazon. Incidentally, I heard that the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, in collaboration with the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, is putting up medical degree course soon.
Expected to be completed soon is the New Muntinlupa City Public Market which will be re-branded as the Central Market of Muntinlupa.
At the end of the Fresnedi II administration, are Muntinlupeños much better off? Let the facts speak for themselves.
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