Hi there! This title was supposed to be for my column last Friday when I would have greeted you Happy New Year. Thanks to the holiday bug, it’s only now that I’m doing that and be able to share some thoughts on what else, but something that many of us are into this time of the year: new year’s resolution.
So, what’s my New Year’s resolution? After failing to make good the good number of resolutions I made many ‘New Years’ ago, I have decided that my new year’s resolution is not to make new year’s resolutions anymore (redundant ano?). Seriously, does it always have to take a new year for us to mend our ways? The not-so-good ways, if I may add.
Talking about not-so-good behavior. That brawl at the golf course. I dunnow who behaved badly, but surely a good number of media outfits and persons are having a field day on the issue. I just have one question. Is it one of the perks? Or an occupational hazard? I mean for the officials involved.
And feng shui and the forecasts for the year of the ox (?) and the lucky charms and everything in between. So what about it? I just can’t understand why many among us should get gaga over it. I’m still having a hard time looking at the connection between Filipino belief and tradition (or should I say Catholic faith?) and that of the Chinese. Well, the food of course is a different story. And yes, while we are into the topic, I’m sure many among us ended with rotten fruits after during the first week of January. Thanks (again) to that belief of collecting fruits in time for the new year. I’m wondering how the vendors came up with fruits that are out of season.
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Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento delivered his 2009 State of the City Address last Monday. He did it during the first session of the City Council for the year 2009.
Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino presided over the session. In attendance were Councilors Rey James Uy, Ver Porlares, Julius Mancol, Danilo Bernate, Regina Rabuya, Noel Sermense, Raymond Uy, Susano Salurio, Arturo Pasacas, Jonas Montealto, Virgil Clemens, Florencio Enriquez and Charlie Boy Coñejos.
Also present during the session were the various Department Managers of the LGU.The City Mayor opened his report with some LGU highlights from year 2008. The highlights showed that it was a busy year for the LGU. The activities presented included among others, the following:
- the USNS Mercy ENCAP and MEDCAP in Samar.
- the visits of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
- the introduction of the weekly People's Day at the City Hall and in some barangays.
- the campaign to reassure the public about the availability of rice in the city and the region.
- the continuing Secure Tenure Program of the City Urban Housing Division.
Mayor Sarmiento also gave the Officials and the People of Calbayog an update on what the various Departments are doing with regard to the service they have rendered to Calbayog. This was done through the presentation of score cards of the various LGU Departments.
It should be noted that it was the same score card system which the City Mayor introduced to RDC-8 and was presented to President Arroyo during the RDC meeting in September 2008. The same was ordered to be implemented in various RDCs all over the country.
The City Mayor also included the various awards the recognition that the LGU received, foremost among which is the recognition from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) citing Calbayog as one of the Most Competitive Small-sized Cities in the Philippines.
Mayor Sarmiento cited a good number of projects for 2009. Some of these projects include the following:
- the completion of the Calbayog City Sports Complex (Gymnasium)
- the new Market
- Convention Center
- Landfill
- a new Park
While he ended his report on a positive note, he also noted the not-so-good forecasts for the year ahead. He called on everyone to join hands to work hard for Calbayog and for the country.
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Wedding Bells. Richard Mejido (of Tacloban) got married to Mylenn Calang yesterday. The wedding mass was held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
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Let me leave you with the line that Mayor Mel Sarmiento said to cap his 2009 SOCA. It was a message that Finance Secretary sent him via text:
"Despite the generally unfavorable forecast, we are hopeful that 2009 will be better than expected if we continue to work hard, have faith in ourselves and pray together for our country."
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This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!
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