"Isang Biñan na masigla at maunlad; kung saan ang negosyo, trabaho at serbisyo ay magaling at epektibo; isang Biñan na maka-kalikasan at maka-kultura; at isang Biñan na makatao, makatarungan, kung saan bawat isa ay may boses at puwang sa lipunan."
That was the vision Biñan City, Laguna Mayor-elect Angelo “Gel” Alonte shared as he was formally sworn in as the city's newest executive, in a ceremony held at the Alonte Sports Arena Friday, June 27.
Alonte took his oath before Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, and in the presence of outgoing Mayor Arman Dimaguila (who had earlier been sworn in as the city's newest representative to Congress), outgoing Representative Len Alonte and other officials.
Also sworn in during the event were Vice Mayor-elect Jonalina 'Dada" Reyes and members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Solid foundation
Representative-elect Dimaguila's and former Representative-elect Alonte's presence during the event symbolizes the solid foundation of stable leadership and good governance upon which Mayor-elect Gel Alonte will build his own administration.
Recently, the city government of Biñan received an “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit (COA), the highest audit rating the commission can grant a local government unit that signifies that the city has maintained its high standards of accountability and transparency.
Meanwhile, in recognition for her important legislative work during her three terms as Biñan City Representative – particularly as chairperson of the House Committee on Ecology – Len Alonte was awarded with a “Medal of Distinction” by the House of Representatives last June 10.
What ‘Tatak Gel’ really means
If, as they say, the inaugural speech is a template of future governance, Alonte’s inaugural speech sets the tone for what the “Galing at Epektibong Lingkod” brand of governance really means.
“Ako ay mabait, pero hindi mahina. Ako ay kaibigan ng lahat, pero hindi bulag sa batas. At sa ilalim ng aking pamumuno, pantay-pantay ang magiging pagtingin at ang batas ang mananaig,” was his pledge.
Inaugural speeches are also opportunities for setting down the governing platform, and Alonte’s is no different.
Drawing on his own experiences, as well as the legacies and examples of his predecessors Len Alonte and Arman Dimaguila, the new mayor stressed that the city’s youth will continue to be of paramount importance to the city government under his administration.
“Ako po ay naniniwala na ang kabataan ang pinakamalaking puhunan ng lungsod, at sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon at isports, bubuuin natin ang talino at disiplina, tibay ng loob at pagkakaisa. Kaya't isusulong natin ang mas pinalawak na edukasyon at sports development programs sa mga barangay, paaralan at komunidad," he stressed.
Alonte also promised to continue the “culture-based development” that had set Biñan City apart from other more progressive cities in Laguna province, banking on its rich history and culture as an asset for socio-economic growth.
Meanwhile, he also bared plans for the establishment of the Biñan Cancer Institute and the Biñan City College, two important institutions that according to him will ensure that the specialized needs of Biñanenses will be taken care of.
"Sa pamumuno ko, hindi lang natin pahahalagahan ang buhay, palalaguin natin ito. Sisiguraduhin nating ligtas ang pamayanan, may maayos na tahanan at trabaho ang lahat, at hitik ang tulong pangkabuhayan at mga social services ng pamahalaan," he added.
First 100 days
Among the top priorities of the city government for the first 100 days under the new Alonte-Reyes administration, the two officials bared in a press conference held shortly after the inauguration, included expansion of the city's highly-publicized local senior pension program; plans to bring down basic services to the barangay level; as well as the expansion of basic services of the newly-opened Biñan Medical Center.
Also high on the priorities of the new “Big Three” leaders are measures to alleviate the problem of flooding in the city’s coastal barangays, with infrastructure programs already being crafted to solve the issue.
"Nariyan rin po ang plano ng ating bagong halal na Representative Arman Dimaguila na hikayatin ang kanyang mga kapwa mambabatas na suportahan ang kanyang panukalang i-dredge na rin po ang Laguna Lake. Kakailanganin po niya ng tulong at suporta, lalo na't napalawak po ng Laguna Lake, at siyempre po hindi lang naman po ang Biñan City ang makikinabang kung sakaling maisakatuparan ito kundi pati na rin po ang mga bayan at lungsod sa paligid ng lawa," Reyes added.
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