Despite the heat and the tension of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections from October 1 to 8, San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado has pledged to continue (and even enhance) his administration’s goal of making San Pedro City “Una sa Laguna.”
Despite the heat and the tension of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections from October 1 to 8, San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado has pledged to continue (and even enhance) his administration’s goal of making San Pedro City “Una sa Laguna.”
In a recent interview with OpinYon Laguna, for instance, the city executive is happy to report on the progress of some of the major programs of his administration.
Added to this, of course, is the pledge that these projects and programs will still be prioritized by the local government even as it prepares for the upcoming midterm elections scheduled in May 2025.
Healthcare projects
During the interview, Mercado bared the current progress of the San Pedro City Medical Center, a tertiary-level hospital to be located in Barangay Narra.
Two years after construction started in 2022, the city mayor reported that the hospital is now in its second phase of construction.
“Yung finishing touches na lang po ang inaayos natin, pati po yung interior at facilities,” Mercado said.
“Ang target po natin is by the second or third quarter of next year, maging operational ang some parts ng ating ospital,” he added.
This report comes after the Mercado administration opened the San Pedro Diagnostics Center in Barangay Santo Niño, a facility that is expected to provide affordable but quality diagnostic services for San Pedrenses.
“Sa ngayon, limited pa po ang maa-accommodate natin sa San Pedro Diagnostics Center, by appointment pa po sa ngayon, pero makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan sa de-kalidad na serbisyo,” the city mayor said.
Flood control
Another top priority of the city government, Mercado also reported, is the continuing efforts to mitigate the effects of flooding in the city during the rainy season.
Aside from the ongoing dredging operations being conducted by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) along San Isidro River, the city mayor said the City Engineering Office has also conducted its own flood-control areas in key areas of San Pedro City.
“Sa ngayon po ay patuloy ang isinasagawang pagsasaayos ng mga drainage system sa iba’t ibang parte ng ating lungsod,” he reported.
“So slowly but surely, asahan po ng ating mga kababayan na definitely, mababawasan na po ang problema sa pagbabaha sa ating lungsod.”
Green Card program
Last August, the city government also started its registration drive for its landmark “Green Card” program.
Launched last May, the San Pedro Green Card program is part of the efforts of Mayor Art Mercado to transform San Pedro into a “SmART City” through the use of technology to deliver efficient government services.
Since the San Pedro City LGU started its registration drive last August, the city government has registered a total of 7,850 residents to the Green Card program as of October 17, based on data provided by the San Pedro City Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO).
"Almost tapos na po tayong makapagparehistro sa 14 small barangays sa ating lungsod as of October 17," the PAIO said in a message to OpinYon Laguna.
Meanwhile, the city government on its social media page said it will start distributing the Green Cards a month after registration for senior citizens and PWDs have been concluded.
Other projects
Mercado added that the city government will continue its other programs to benefit all sectors of San Pedrenses.
Aside from the yearly distribution of free school supplies and uniforms, the city executive said the LGU will also expand the scope of the San Pedro City Scholarship Program (SPECS).
“Palalakasin rin po natin ang ating investment opportunities na makapagbibigay ng trabaho sa ating mga kababayan, to ensure na hindi na po sila lalayo pa dito sa ating bayan para maghanap ng trabaho,” Mercado also said.
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