I recall standing before you, on this same day three years ago. Talking about what this administration intends to accomplish for Valenzuela city and for all Valenzuelanos.
I talked to you about boosting the local economy, building necessary infrastructures, fighting corruption, improving the quality of education, providing basic health care and social welfare services, maintaining peace and order, and most of all, instilling discipline in public service.
I also remember that it was a very idealistic, even naïve speech, that sums up to one thing – we can accomplish anything if we put our minds and our hearts to it.
So much has happened since 2005. Through it all, you, our taxpayers, have been at our side. Providing support and guidance, and of course, much needed funds. Together, we have all accomplished a lot.
It has been a decade since Valenzuela’s conversion from a municipality into a highly urbanized city.
In 1998, our income was at 483 million pesos. Maybe, a lot of money then, but still, barely enough to sustain a population of approximately five hundred thousand, spread on a land area of over 44 square kilometers.
When i assumed office in 2004, we hit the billion peso mark with a total income of 1.024 billion pesos from a total income of only 857 million in 2003.
Over the past three years, the city’s income grew steadily and we have consistently posted double digit annual growth rates.
This 2007, I am happy to announce that we met our target collections, and now have a total income of 1.5 billion pesos. Our growth rate is pegged at 13.86 percent.
A double digit growth rate is astounding for any economy, whether local or national. And you all contributed to this phenomenal rise in our city’s income.
And, because the city government has sufficient funds, we were able to implement necessary programs and projects to further boost our local economy.
Our city is also very fortunate that the national government is now focusing major infrastructure developments here in the north. The Northrail project, the C-5 and Mindanao avenue extensions are just some of the projects that will bring direct benefits to our city.
We at the city government are likewise complementing these with our own road repair and rehabilitation projects. This year, we will see the completion of the Lingunan-Lawang bato vehicular overpass.
But, we don’t just stop there. We are also working hard to develop the quality of our human capital.
Valenzuela city is home to some two hundred thousand skilled workers who keep the wheels of your industries turning. The city government provides them with basic health care and social welfare services to ensure that they remain healthy and productive individuals.
We provide their children with quality education. We built additional classrooms and hired more teachers to address the classroom shortage and provide a more conducive environment to learning.
Just last December, the Gen. T. de Leon national high school was inaugurated. The four-storey building was constructed wholly from local funds, without any assistance from the national government.
Last year, the finance center along macarthur highway opened its doors to the taxpayers, providing fast and efficient service for all your business-related transactions.
This year, the new executive building will also open its doors for you. These edifices are more than just buildings. They reflect the transformation of the city and the local government.
They signify faster, more efficient service for you, our taxpayers and constituents, because you deserve nothing less than the best service your government can provide.
The principles governing this administration can be summed into four core values:
- Improvement of our moral standards to provide a strong foundation for good governance and to fight against corruption;
- To win the battle against poverty by providing necessary support mechanisms to uplift the quality of life of each and every Valenzuelanos;
- To instill discipline in public service; and
- To lead by example.
These, i believe were instrumental in helping us achieve what we have over the past four years.
But more importantly, the developments that you have seen and felt throughout our city, are not my accomplishments to claim.
They are your accomplishments.
Be proud of what you have helped this city government achieve.
Those are the roads you built, the classrooms you improved, the streets you cleaned, the garbage you managed well, the police vehicles you provided to constantly roam our streets and keep us safe.
All those things are your achievements.
At this point, i’d like to call on my fellow public servants, our congressman, the sangguniang panlungsod members, the department heads, the SK and barangay officials, our teachers, please rise, put your hands together and let us give a standing ovation for the real stars of tonight’s show – our taxpayers!
Without you, we could not have done anything. Our talents and skills would have been useless without your support. There would never have been any major changes had you not believed in us. For that, we shall always be grateful.
Tonight is your night. Tonight, we celebrate your success and the success of our city!
Mabuhay ang mga taxpayers!
Mabuhay ang lungsod ng Valenzuela!
Maraming salamat po!