City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The year 2021 will see re-invigorating moves for the city economy in the face of the pandemic.
Mayor Edwin D. Santiago said that while health response remains top priority, his administration will push for socio-economic recovery during the final days of his last mayoralty term in Central Luzon’s regional center.
Santiago said the city government will allocate P10million for its Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases program, including the possible purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. “Possible” because only the national government can give the go-signal and the city government has to follow processes specified by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health, he explained.
As such, the vaccination plan will be in collaboration with the national and provincial government as well as the private sector, the mayor added.
But as far as resources are concerned, aside from the specified P10 million, the city has the Calamity Fund and the 20 percent Annual Investment Fund that it can tap for the vaccination of its citizens, Santiago assured.
As for economic recovery, the mayor said that the plan will involve helping the private sector, particularly the nano, micro and small enterprises, to ensure that trade and investments continue in the city.
Social recovery will call for continued sustainable livelihood programs, employment, cash grants, and other projects that the city government has been implementing, he said.
According to Santiago, infrastructure projects to develop growth centers and economic zones around the city will go on. To be funded this year are the rehabilitation of the city market plaza; Phase II of the Smart City Program including the expansion and upgrade of C3 facilities; construction of permanent isolation facilities and a multi-purpose building at the Civic Center to house logistics and support services.
While acknowledging the role and support of various sectors in the success of the city, the chief executive remains firm in carrying out San Fernando’s vision and mission of becoming a safer, more resilient, vibrant, technology-driven and more responsive and inclusive city with the Fernandinos’ continuing unity and cooperation.
