Thus, Mayor Edwin Santiago summed up the “end-in-view of The New San Fernando,” the policy direction he has set for his second term in office, which would comprise “comprehensive planning toward the attainment of a liveable and sustainable city in all aspects of life.”
Santiago announced these during the formal presentation of the new set of city officials at Monday’s flag-raising rites, namely Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin and the members of the sangguniang panlungsod: re-elected Angelica Hizon, Benedict Jasper Simon Lagman, Noel Tulabut, Ayzel Mari Grace Macalino, Nelson Lingat, Harvey Quiwa, Celestino Dizon; and comebacking Renato Agustin, Redentor Halili and Ruperto Dumlao.
The new policy direction, Santiago said, necessitated the reduction of the 12-Point Agenda of his first term to 10 priorities: Education, Employment and Livelihood, Environment, Health, Peace and Order, Family, Infrastructure, Tourism and Culture, Investment Promotion, and Government Efficiency.
The former priorities on Gender and Development especially on women and children, and Senior Citizens were incorporated into the new agenda on Family.
Santiago paid tribute to the “active participation in the governance of the city” extended by various sectoral organizations including “the senior citizens, women’s organizations, persons with disabilities, the youth and NGOs.”
Recalling his battle cry “Tsinelas ni EdSa” in his first run for office, Santiago thanked the city’s barangay chairmen for acting as the “kapares,” the other pair, in the efficient delivery of services to their constituents.
“It is heartening to see how progress has come to our city, even as we continue to attract more investors,” Santiago noted: “This is undeniable proof that we have done our utmost pursuant to the business-enabling role of government.”
The City of San Fernando has been enshrined in as Most Business-Friendly (Component) City in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Hall of Fame.
