Loot: Cityhood within 12 years
Amid the controversy rocking his administration, Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente “Vic” Loot said his longterm objective is for the town to become a city in 12 years by focusing on tourism as its number one revenue source.
In his State of the Municipality Address, Loot said that while he may be a political neophyte, his credentials as a retired police general would show that he was a 37-year-old veteran public servant.
“Bisan unsaon pagtuis o paghiwi, ma-Facebook man o ma-tabi, sa mga tawo nga mga peke, ang kamatuoran molutaw gayud. Ang Daanbantayan milambo, miuswag ug nabag-o. Dili lang kay inyong nadunggan, nakit-an apan inyo gayod nabatyagan o natagamtaman,” he said.
Loot became controversial after President Rodrigo Duterte tagged him as among local government officials who are involved in illegal drugs, calling him a drug protector.
In his speech, Loot attributed the growth of Daanbantayan to the term of his wife, former mayor Maria Luisa “Malou” Loot, whom he said exerted all efforts to make the town into a first class municipality.
Loot said Daanbantayan owns the longest coastline in the entire province, 90 percent is potential tourism destination.
Surrounding the town are the Visayan Sea in the north, Camotes Sea in the east and the Tañon Strait, which is rich in marine resources and biodiversity, in the West.
Loot said he defied protocol and swallowed his pride to reach out to the legislative department, which is dominated by Sangguniang Bayan members belonging to a different political party, just so his vision for Daanbantayan would move towards realization.
“I know that just like in war, in politics, fighting will only make all of us losers. That's why I came and now with all humility declare before this gathering that I am here to build bridges not walls. That I am here to build a dream, a city, a city of dreams which will only rise and become possible with every help I can get from those Kandayanons living across the bridge that I have built,” Loot said.
“I may have lost a battle, a battle of pride and ego, but I have won the war, the war on glory and honor for the people. And this time I have won the war hand-in-hand with my enemy,” he added.
Loot considered the unity and cooperation achieved by the executive and legislative branches of the municipal government as his biggest accomplishment in his first term in office
Among the basis of his governance strategy is the exploration of and investment in the rich natural resources of the town, and exploring sites with tourism potential by making them accessible and attractive for fresh investments.
Loot also vowed to increase revenue coming from these resources to propel the town in preparation for its quest to become a city in 12 years.
Daanbantayan needs to post P100 million in yearly income for it to qualify as a city.
Loot said that given the present traditional revenue source at an average of P4 million per year, it would 25 years before the town could become a city.
Loot gave himself a quota of P50 million year in fresh investments. So far, Jollibee (P30 million), water desalination plant (P80 million), and a private subdivision (P30 million) had already invested in the town.
“This is no longer a dream. This is vision translated into reality because I need vision to realize a new dream. Daanbantayan City is a dream, Daanbantayan City is an adventure, Daanbantayan City is you. Are you with me to take the challenge? If you do, I am here capable of leading your way and making our vision a reality,” he told those in attendance.