BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III on Thursday announced that this city’s income has reached P467-million from P103-million in 2001.
In his State of the City Address, Garcia said that in a span of nine years, a P364-million increase in revenue was recorded.
He predicted that the income will balloon to P923-million in 2020, his target of achieving a full “University Town” program for the city. Balanga turned into a component city on December 30, 2000.
Garcia cited increase in income, tourist arrivals, health, peace and order, investments, education and infrastructures during the 10th anniversary of the cityhood of Balanga.
Landmark projects like the new public market, wetland and nature park and the Plaza Mayor de Balanga have lured in 21,560 tourists for the past year. Garcia, more popularly known as Mayor Joet, also said that tourist arrivals in the city will reach 100,000 every year beginning 2011.
The nature and wetland park in barangay Tortugas considered as the first in the country is one of three birdwatching sites in the Philippines.
The landmark projects contributed an additional of P41-million income for the city with P29-million coming from the new public market (150% increase compared to 2009) and P12-million (100% vs. 2009) from lease payment of the former arcade undergoing full construction.
Under the city’s health program, the mayor also cited the accomplishments of his father – Gov. Enrique Garcia – noting the construction of three buildings with three floors each for the modern Bataan General Hospital.
He said that the Galing Card healthcare program has continued to help 8,756 indigent families. The city funds at least P3.8 million for 608 patients in 2010.
OTHER PROJECTS
The city government also implemented its “healthy lifestyle” program like the “No Smoking” regulations, proper disposal of garbage, LPG conversion program for tricycles and the “hataw sa umaga exercise program” right in the city plaza.
Under its peace and order program, the city installed 36 wireless surveillance cameras in major sites. At least 25 barangays through the mayor’s initiative formed barangay brigades to guard exit and entry points of the city against lawless elements.
Garcia announced the full confidence of investors with P764-million new investments for 2010. This is a 60 percent increase compared to 2009 with P477-million that came in.
The mayor considered the entry of the New San Jose Builders in transforming the former 4,500-square meter arcade into the Galeria Victoria with an investment of P250 million. A bidding is ongoing for the lease rental of the 784-square meter property where a Jollibee outlet stands.
The lease agreement with the food chain expired last December 17. The bidding and awards committee has set a rental of not less than P134-million for 25 years. Investment for the new building was set at P60-million.
To attract more investors, the Sangguniang Panglungsod chaired by Vice Mayor Noel Valdecanas passed the Investment Incentive Code that extends additional assistance and the immediate processing of business license and permits.
The city has set up a Business Center and Investment Promotions Desk that give incentives to new businesses involved in tourism, information technology business outsourcing and student residences, hotels and others.
In his State of the City Address, Garcia said that in a span of nine years, a P364-million increase in revenue was recorded.
He predicted that the income will balloon to P923-million in 2020, his target of achieving a full “University Town” program for the city. Balanga turned into a component city on December 30, 2000.
Garcia cited increase in income, tourist arrivals, health, peace and order, investments, education and infrastructures during the 10th anniversary of the cityhood of Balanga.
Landmark projects like the new public market, wetland and nature park and the Plaza Mayor de Balanga have lured in 21,560 tourists for the past year. Garcia, more popularly known as Mayor Joet, also said that tourist arrivals in the city will reach 100,000 every year beginning 2011.
The nature and wetland park in barangay Tortugas considered as the first in the country is one of three birdwatching sites in the Philippines.
The landmark projects contributed an additional of P41-million income for the city with P29-million coming from the new public market (150% increase compared to 2009) and P12-million (100% vs. 2009) from lease payment of the former arcade undergoing full construction.
Under the city’s health program, the mayor also cited the accomplishments of his father – Gov. Enrique Garcia – noting the construction of three buildings with three floors each for the modern Bataan General Hospital.
He said that the Galing Card healthcare program has continued to help 8,756 indigent families. The city funds at least P3.8 million for 608 patients in 2010.
OTHER PROJECTS
The city government also implemented its “healthy lifestyle” program like the “No Smoking” regulations, proper disposal of garbage, LPG conversion program for tricycles and the “hataw sa umaga exercise program” right in the city plaza.
Under its peace and order program, the city installed 36 wireless surveillance cameras in major sites. At least 25 barangays through the mayor’s initiative formed barangay brigades to guard exit and entry points of the city against lawless elements.
Garcia announced the full confidence of investors with P764-million new investments for 2010. This is a 60 percent increase compared to 2009 with P477-million that came in.
The mayor considered the entry of the New San Jose Builders in transforming the former 4,500-square meter arcade into the Galeria Victoria with an investment of P250 million. A bidding is ongoing for the lease rental of the 784-square meter property where a Jollibee outlet stands.
The lease agreement with the food chain expired last December 17. The bidding and awards committee has set a rental of not less than P134-million for 25 years. Investment for the new building was set at P60-million.
To attract more investors, the Sangguniang Panglungsod chaired by Vice Mayor Noel Valdecanas passed the Investment Incentive Code that extends additional assistance and the immediate processing of business license and permits.
The city has set up a Business Center and Investment Promotions Desk that give incentives to new businesses involved in tourism, information technology business outsourcing and student residences, hotels and others.
