EdSa sets directions for 2018
Real Steel Corporation General Manager Melody Arellano, Pollution Control Officer Cyril Hilario and Human Resources Officer Pamela Gomez turned over on Wednesday gift packs to Councilor Glen Yabut, his wife Miriam, MENRO Mel Tayag, MHO Marlene Bagtas, San Juan Barangay Chairman Teristo Catindig, PNP, OFWs and other representatives.
— Chris Navarro
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Anchored on the vision of a new San Fernando, Mayor Edwin Santiago of this city yesterday bared three major directions the city government will strengthen come 2018.
Speaking before members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council during their Christmas gathering at Heroes Hall, Santiago said three pressing concerns will be addressed by the city government in response to the clamor raised by different groups and stakeholders.
“One, at the very start of 2018, we will focus on improving our road networks alongside the maintenance of our drainage systems and waterways. This is in view of the immediate need to decongest major thoroughfares and ease traffic that has been plaguing the city, as well as avert flooding that adds up to the city’s woes,” he said.
Santiago disclosed of the coastal road link that will connect San Fernando to Lubao up to Bataan. “This is part our interconnectivity efforts which will benefit our neighbors. Similarly, we are negotiating with the local government of Mexico on how we could realistically solve traffic along our boundaries.”
Maintaining and regularly clearing San Fernando River, he added, will also be beneficial to other local governments in the fourth district of Pampanga.
“The San Fernando River connects us to Sto. Tomas, Minalin and secondarily to Macabebe, San Simon, Apalit and Masantol. Regular clearing of San Fernando River will prevent flooding in these towns. So hindi lang San Fernando pero iniisip din natin ang mga kapitbahay nating mga bayan,” he said.
Second, Santiago stressed the need to boost tourism in the city as more investors are coming in.
“We will have to work on a kind of tourism that is really vibrant at hindi iyung overnight lang. With more investors coming in, we need to boost tourism, eco-tourism at that, which will not harm the environment and will spur economic activity. Remember, our vision is inclusive growth so kasama lahat kahit hindi Fernandino. Dapat lahat ay makikinabang,” he said.
The third among other directions that will be focused on, Santiago said, is peace and order.
“It has been always important for us that not only Fernandinos, but migrants and visitors in the city are safe. So we will reinforce our peace and order office and push through with our planned command center. Nothing will be better than keeping everyone in the city safe,” he said.
“The year 2017 has been very good to us despite problems that arose. In 2018, we must join hands once more for the city. Let us thank God for this year’s journey,” concluded Santiago. — JTD