For Biñan City, Laguna Mayor Gel Alonte, “Galing at Epektibong Lingkod” – his own brand of governance – is more than just a slogan.
It is a working system of governance that manifests itself in the transformation in the lives of ordinary Biñanenses.
“Para sa atin, hindi nasusukat ang tagumpay ng isang pamahalaan sa dami lamang ng programa na nailunsad. Nasusukat ito sa dami ng buhay na nabigyan ng pag-asa, sa dami ng kabataan na buksan ang kinabukasan, at sa daming pamilyang nakadama na may pamahalaang handang umalalay sa kanila,” the city executive stressed in his State of the City Address (SOCA) held last July 1.
Full impact of programs
It was during his SOCA – the first under the new Alonte administration – that the city executive was able to report on the various projects and programs under the “Galing at Epektibong Lingkod” brand of governance.
These include the enhancement of the city's major healthcare services; continued support for the city's education sector; fostering gender equality and inclusivity; and improving Biñan's disaster preparedness and security capabilities.
The city executive also took the opportunity to highlight current projects and programs that are now in the works, including major flood-mitigation projects and the much-anticipated Biñan City College.
Culture-based development
This SOCA was also made more meaningful by the fact that it was held at the Biñan City Center for Performing Arts, which was officially opened to the public on that day.
For Alonte and other city officials (including Representative Arman Dimaguila, under whose term as city mayor the edifice was kickstarted), the Biñan City Center for Performing Arts is another investment for enriching the city’s past and cultural heritage as the key to unlocking its progressive future.
"Sa paglinang ng talino at pagkamalikhain ng kanyang mamamayan, ang tanghalang ito ay isang pangako ng sining, kultura at kasaysayan ay mananatiling mahalaga ng ating landas tungo sa isang mas maunlad, makatao at nagkakaisang Biñan," Alonte said.
Power of unity
In his speech, Alonte also highlighted how unity not only among local government officials but also among the ordinary people has led Biñan City through past challenges, and will continue to transform the city’s future.
“Para sa akin, ang unang taon ng ating administrasyon ay hindi nasusukat sa dami ng ating nagawa. Mas mahalaga ang pundasyon ating sama-samang naitayo: pundasyon ng isang pamalahang mas mahusay, pundasyon ng isang lungsod na mas makatao at pundasyon ng isang Biñan na mas handa sa kinabukasan,” the city executive said.
“Kung may isang bagay na napatunayan natin sa nakalipas na isang taon, ito ay kapag nagkakaisa ang pamahalaan at mamamayan, walang hamon na hindi malalagpasan. Walang pangarap na hindi maaabot. Kaya't sama-sama natin ipagpatuloy ang pagbuo ng isang Biñan na mas maayos, mas progresibo, mas inklusibo at higit sa lahat isang Biñan na nagbibigay ng pag-asa sa bawat pamilya.”
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