City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo has reported that the projects and accomplishments in 2024 have resulted in the reclassification of Dumaguete from 3rd Class to a 2nd Class City.
In his year-ender press conference, he said he is hopeful the City can attain 1st class status in the next round of reclassification.
The Mayor said that two concrete full-span bridges linking Candau-ay and Balugo, and Batinguel and Junob were completed last year, which have added to the two others that were completed earlier, connecting barangays Taclobo and Bagacay, as well as barangays Bagacay and Batinguel.
The fifth concrete bridge that will link barangays Taclobo and Tabuc-tubig has a budget of P 30 million pending approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
All the five concrete bridges are funded by the local government without national assistance.
The Mayor also reported on the ongoing construction of the Banica River control dikes from Balugo to Taclobo, totaling P 800 million; the “shoreline protection” project which has now extended to Poblacion 1 that he said “keeps the residents of the coastal community safe from storm surges and big waves” while providing additional space for parking, rest and recreation to the Pantawan 2 People’s Park.
He said there is also an ongoing construction of the “shoreline protection” from Pantawan 1 to Pantawan 2, measuring 360 meters, with an approved budget of P54 million, that will create a “buffer” of approximately eight meters to “widen the narrow promenade area for the safety and comfort” of joggers/strollers, as well as protect the facilities in the vicinity to prevent further erosion and damage.
The Mayor also highlighted the City’s acquisition of the Catherina Cittadini campus to serve as the new home of pupils and faculty of Calindagan Elementary School and City Central Elementary School; the ongoing road opening at SL Teves to Purok Solid in Barangay Calindagan; approved funding of P 63.2 million for the construction of school buildings and other facilities for eight identified public schools to address their immediate needs, and the completion of the Calenica Gono Pal Technical-Vocational School on a donated lot in barangay Batinguel.
The City also saw the unveiling of an eight-foot bronze statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Pantawan People’s Park along the Rizal Boulevard.
The year 2024 also saw the donation by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. of its one-hectare lot in barangay Talay which currently houses the TB Pavilion, in favor of LGU-Dumaguete for the construction of a Dumaguete City Hospital.
The City Health Office — which was nominated as Outstanding LGU in Local Health System, and as Certified Zero Open Defecation LGU in Central Visayas — also started operating the City Satellite Hospital, and a new City Health Office at the City’s Mega Evacuation Center in barangay Talay.
Mini-government centers with covered courts, health centers, multi-purpose buildings, and day care centers were also constructed in barangays Taclobo, Cadawinonan, Junob, Tabuc-tubig, and Talay.
The City also constructed a Youth Home, and a girl’s dormitory.
The Gawad Kalinga Village was also provided a concrete road and water supply.
The City Government provided financial assistance to almost 10,000 residents; burial and mortuary benefits to hundreds of senior citizens and residents, hospitalization/medical assistance and maintenance medicines to thousands of residents; provided scholarships to hundreds of college students at P12,000 each per school year, and cash aid to victims of disasters, OFWs in distress, among others.
Under the seasonal worker’s program, Dumaguete has deployed about 177 “farm trainees” to Yeongdong South Korea, Dumaguete’s Sister City.
The e-BOSS (electronic Business One-Stop Shop) Building, equipped with an online processing system for application and renewal of business permits and licenses, is fully operational, he said, as the Bureau of Local Government Finance-7 also recognized Dumaguete for exceeding its LGU revenue performance targets for fiscal year 2023.
Through the pyrolysis machine and plastic recycling equipment that converts solid wastes into useful byproducts like hollow blocks, pavers, plastic chairs, organic fertilizer and other materials, the Dumaguete Materials Recovery Facility generates income for the LGU at P500,000 each month, while providing livelihood for the waste pickers.
In the field of sports, the City was awarded as “Emerging Sports Destination of the Year in the Philippines” during the 6th Sports Tourism Awards held in Cebu City.
In November last year, Dumaguete hosted the 3rd Negrense National Dancesport Championship and the Dumaguete International Open for more than 1,500 dancers from different parts of the country and abroad.
He said that residents and motorists along the national highway of barangays Banilad and Mangnao have also noticed that the ongoing comprehensive flood control project jointly undertaken by the local government and DPWH has reduced, if not eliminated, episodes of flooding in the area even during the rainy season.
The Mayor said work is going on for the City’s Smart CCTV & Traffic Light Management System Project for 22 pre-identified intersections.
On Septage Management, the Mayor said the City will soon receive three septage hauling trucks, while seven more are being ordered to address backlogs in servicing the people’s septic tanks.
In his bid to professionalize the service, the Mayor has dismissed employees proven to have engaged in illegal drugs, and has hired employees based on merit, fitness, and qualifications; promoted or appointed regular employees in accordance with Civil Service rules; and appointed hundreds of Job Order workers in consideration of their length of service, competence, and favorable endorsements of their superiors. (PR)
