For a local chief executive, being called upon to become an example for other local government officials carries a great honor - and a great responsibility as well.
This was how San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado described his recent experience as a resource speaker for the Strategic Leadership for Good Governance: Introductory Course for Newly-Minted Officials last July 31.
The three-day series of orientations and trainings was conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Calabarzon Regional Office at the Heritage Hotel in Manila from July 29 to 31.
The event gathered together newly-elected officials from the Calabarzon region, where DILG officials and veteran public officials shared to them various facets of good local governance.
"Hindi po ako sanay magsalita sa mga ganitong setup, pero ngayong naimbitahan tayo bilang resource speaker sa Strategic Leadership for Good Governance: Introductory Course for Newly-Minted Officials ng DILG Region 4A, I felt honored and humbled to share our experience in San Pedro City," Mercado shared in his Facebook page.
Among other aspects of local governance, Mercado said he was able to share to rookie officials his administration's personal experiences centering on healthcare, education and social services.
To recall, these areas are just some of the areas of local governance that the city government under Mercado focused on improving and expanding during his first term in office.
"Ito po ay mga bagay na malapit sa puso ko dahil ito rin po ang mga unang hamon na hinarap namin noong nagsisimula pa lang tayo bilang Mayor," he related.
Mercado added that it was a "great honor" for him to share with his fellow public servants his own journey towards transforming San Pedro City, in a shared goal of genuine, inclusive and participative change.
"I may not be an expert speaker, but I’m grateful for the chance to share a few stories, challenges, and best practices from our journey. Sana kahit papaano ay nakatulong, o kahit papaano ay naka-inspire ng kapwa lingkod-bayan," he said.
A new way to progress
Mercado capped off last week with the successful - and much-awaited - opening of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) San Pedro City northbound exit last August 1.
Mercado joined national and local government officials in the inauguration ceremonies for the opening of the new exit, a successful culmination of over eight years of waiting by San Pedrenses for faster access to Metro Manila.
Among the luminaries present at the event included Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon; Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan; Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Jose Arturo Tugade; Laguna Governor Sol Aragones; incumbent 1st District Representative Ann Matibag; incumbent Biñan City Representative Arman Dimaguila; former 1st District Representative and Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas; former San Pedro City Mayor Lourdes Cataquiz; and other local officials.
In his short message during the event, Mercado stressed that the new exit will not only boost tourism but also attract more investments for the city – investments that he said is expected to bring in additional revenue that will enable his administration to expand its social services.
"Hindi lang ito basta bagong daan. Isa itong daan tungo sa mas maraming oportunidad para sa ating lungsod at mga mamamayan. Matagal tayong tinawag na 'Dormitory Town,' pero ngayon, unti-unti na nating binabago ang kwento ng San Pedro," the city mayor stressed in another social media post.
“Maraming salamat po sa ating mga national and local leaders, private partners, and visionaries who made this possible. Salamat po sa inyong malasakit at pagtanaw sa kinabukasan ng ating lungsod. You have laid down the stones so this generation can walk forward.”
With an expected average capacity of over 50,000 vehicles daily, the new San Pedro City northbound exit will provide a direct route from San Pedro City to Metro Manila.
It is expected to solve one long-term problem of the lack of direct access from San Pedro City to SLEX, which had meant that San Pedrense motorists had to go to the Susana Heights Exit in Muntinlupa City or the Southwoods Exit in Binan City to go to Manila.
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