Moreno can’t do it alone

By Teddy Sabuga-a Jr.
of Team OKKA .

THE proposed 2019 budget of P6.5 billion is ambitious. But if City Hall has to be serious in fast tracking public service to the people, it has to raise that income to fund important public service projects.

Around P2.1 billion of that budget or 31 percent would be spent for social services — services that would help people have good health and thus productive; the youth at school, the sick taken care of and a host social welfare services for the poor and marginalized.

Mayor Moreno’s  marching orders: We are seeing now transformation of social welfare, towards new direction, focused on social services.

Obviously, Mayor Moreno cannot do all these alone. We have seen the fruits of synergy when Vice Mayor Raineir “Kikang” Uy presided the City Council. Something, that was totally absent in the previous city council.

We cannot even allow remnants of that “babag” council. We cannot allow even an ounce of negativity.

Although, having a super majority of the City Council now, fiscalizing has not been lost. Councilors are free to express what they think on various issues. They debate, even criticize the bureaucracy for some things they thought were done wanting.

Mayor Moreno’s accomplishment and the wisdom he has gotten in his long years in public service makes him a truly trustworthy leader.

The team he has assembled to run in 2019 is composed of highly competent and independent minded public servants capable of critical collaboration.

As the city is not an isolated piece of land, we need representatives in Congress that would bridge policies and resources to the Kagayanon, the whole of the city – definitely not to one’s family or barrio only.

The people of district 1 are happy to enjoy services and projects from City Hall and those brought by congressman Rolando “Klarex” Uy. The ever grounded congressman has been silently mobilizing resources to build roads, bridges, flood control projects and drainage. He has spread the love with his livelihood projects and assistance to the poor and sick.

Councilor Yan Lam Lim, popularly known as Alam Lim, is a 2nd termer president of the Liga ng mga Barangay of Cagayan de Oro City. He is in touch with the barangays. He made a difficult decision turning his back, so to speak, from his political patron when he thought the only way to bring more and more services to the people is to stop being a “babag.” He truly is the missing piece of the puzzle, as Mayor Moreno puts it.

Team OKKA (Oscar Moreno, Klarex Uy, Kikang Uy and Alam Lim) and the rest of 16 councilors — eight each from Districts 1 and 2 — should win in the 2019 election.

Men and women of competence like Ian Mark Nacaya, Bong Lao, Eric Salcedo, Dr. Malou Serina-Gaane, Suzette Magtajas-Daba, Atty.Ed Cabanlas, Agusan barangay chairman Andrew Melliza, and Girlie Balaba are the dedicated servant leaders people of District 2 needs.

The dedicated and equally competent men and women to represent the City Council in District 1 are Dr. Boboy Daba, iconic broadcaster Zaldy Ocon, former councilor Roger Abaday, former Carmen chairman Jun Daba, the general Romeo Calizo, Councilor George Goking, Councilor Jay Roa Pascual and Councilor Inday Dahino.

Mayor Moreno’s focus on social services is meant to include everyone in the city’s journey to become the country’s 4th metropolitan city.

For this to become a reality, OKKA needs as kaabag the 16 fine men and women.

To achieve 20-0 in 2019 mission, we are enjoining everyone to come aboard. We will make every Kagayon very important with the launch soon of the Very Important Public Service VIPS movement.

As Cagayan de Oro continues its massive growth, all Cagayanons must benefit and enjoy the journey.

That is the Team OKKA spirit.

Truly, no one is left behind!

(Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr. is the city administrator and concurrent head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.)

* Editor’s note: Gold Star Daily is reserving space in its opinion pages for the different political groups that want to win government seats in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental in next year’s elections. Tomorrow’s space for “100% Politics” is reserved for the Patrido Federal ng Pilipinas.