Klarex credits ‘Rise’ agenda

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy on Thursday  (June 15) reported his first State of the City Address (Soca) indicating a higher-than-expected economic growth rate for the city this year.

Uy attributed this positive trend to the unity between the Executive and Legislative branches of the city government.

The City Council has given its stamp of approval on the Soca delivered by mayor Uy.

During the council’s session, even the mayor’s 28-page speech was acknowledged and approved unanimously as the backbone of his policy and development agenda, providing a roadmap for the city’s future growth and progress.

He said, the economic growth was also due not only to the unity but at the same time collaboration on long-term and high-impact strategies for the city’s economic recovery and growth.

During a special session held at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Sitio Taguanao, Barangay Indahag to commemorate the 73rd City Charter Day of Cagayan de Oro, Mayor Uy presented his SOCA.

The SOCA included the mayor’s annual report, highlighting important achievements and developments in the city.

Uy said that since the outbreak of Covid-19, they have witnessed the importance of Cagayan de Oro in the overall Northern Mindanao region. 

“The city is the center for commerce and financial transactions for the entire region,” Uy said adding that major malls, wholesale traders, consumer goods distributors, large banks, and other financial institutions are located in the city.

During his SOCA, Uy said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has released economic reports on the situation of the city in 2021. 

According to him, the report, the Gross City Domestic Product of Cagayan de Oro City was P 239.3 Billion in 2021, showing a 9.6% growth rate compared to 2020. 

In the report, it was noted that 27.4% of the progress in the entire Northern Mindanao region is due to the city’s development.

In addition, the city is also a center for education due to the presence of large private and public universities.

“Despite the challenges posed by the Covid outbreak, Cagayan de Oro has demonstrated its resilience and importance as a major economic center in Northern Mindanao,” Uy said.

 It is also a major center for medical services with several private hospitals and the Northern Mindanao Medical Center located within the city. 

Public transportation is another central aspect of the city as major transactions at the port, the International Container Terminal in Tagoloan, and the Laguindingan Airport occur here. 

He said that the strategic location of the city, along with its strong infrastructure and services, make it the ideal hub for regional commerce, industry, and trade. 

“The city is perfectly positioned to drive the economic growth of the region and continues to build on its strengths to remain a vibrant center for business and commerce,” he said in his city address reading in a Visayan language.

He said that as of the end of April 2023, they have registered 27,309 businesses, which is 23% higher than the 22,032 businesses registered in the same month last year. 

In March of this year, he added that they learned through their Business Permit and Licensing Office, led by Mr. Jason Adaza, that 3,870 new businesses have registered. 

“This is the result of the tax relief measures that we implemented before the end of 2022,” said Uy.

According to the PSA, 6.79% of families in the city were living in poverty in 2021. 

This has increased compared to 6.11% in 2018, meaning 13,200 families are earning less than P12,029 per month.

Uy mentioned that although the Covid-19 pandemic may have brought attention to the city’s significance, it is the continuous effort and progress through his RISE agenda that will guarantee its forthcoming success and growth.

The RISE, or Regional Leadership, Accessibility and Connectivity, Inclusivity and Participatory Governance, Safety, Security and Human Development, and Economic Recovery, would be beneficial.

In his earlier statement expressed that the challenge persists for them to address the needs of the people and further decrease poverty in the city.

“This upgraded forecast by the PSA reinforces the positive trajectory of the city economy and demonstrates that we are on the right track towards recovery and progress,” Uy said. 

“Nakita nato sulod sa usa ka tuig nga pag obserba ug pagtuon sa mga kasamtangan nga mga pamaagi, adunay kakulangon ug limitasyon sa pagsukod sa ekonomikanhon nga kalambuan sa syudad,” Uy said. 

Although the city he said relies heavily on pertinent information from the PSA, this method has been common practice for several years.

He said that the implication of this is the inadequacy in linking with programs, projects, and services critical for the growth of the economy of every family and community in Cagayan de Oro. 

As a result, he encouraged the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and other offices under the Economic Sector, such as Agriculture, to improve and provide more valuable information to support the growth of the city’s economy.

“Ug apil na usab ang mga opisina nga adunay mga programa nga adunay economic nga implication sama sa Public Employment Services Office (PESO), sa cooperative program sa Community Improvement Division (CID),” Uy clarified. 

The first measure highlighted in the state of the city report by Mayor Uy is “job generation and employment status.

“It is an important metric to gauge the economic progress of any city as employment opportunities provide people with the means to sustain their livelihoods. 

As per the report, the inventory of jobs and employees in Cagayan de Oro City remained strong in 2021, with over 202,000 individuals employed, indicating a growth of 7.37% from the previous year.

This is a significant indication of the city’s ability to create jobs, which is essential in reducing unemployment and poverty in the area. 

The second measure highlighted in the report is the “value of trade,” which reflects the economic activity generated by the exchange of goods and services within the city. 

As per the report, Cagayan de Oro City had a Value of Trade of P 174.6 Billion in 2021. This figure shows an impressive 18.63% increase from 2020, indicating the growing economic activity of the city. 

The increase in the value of trade is a great sign for the city’s economy, indicating progress in commercial activities, commerce, and trade. 

It also signifies growth in consumer demand, as well as a thriving business environment that is supportive of entrepreneurship, innovation, and commerce.

In basic education, Uy reported that there are currently 198,000 students in the city. 

In elementary school, the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:32, while it’s 1:26 for junior and senior high school.

However, in the classroom, the ratio is 1:39 for both elementary and junior high school and 1:41 for senior high school.

“Nagpasabot kini nga kinahanglan pa ta ug dugang nga mga maestra sa elementarya, ikumpara sa high school.  Ug sa mga lawak-tunghaan, kinahanglan pa nato ug dugang nga mga classrooms apan mas daghan ang panginahanglanon sa senior high school,” Uy said.

These pieces of information explain why there is a cohort survival rate of only 76.12% in elementary school, 91.79% in junior high school, and 82.65% in senior high school, Uy said.

However, the Department of Education presented an additional challenge. Less than 10% of our youth ch as armchairs, audio-visual equipment, computers, and lockers for students.

In summary, the measures outlined in Mayor Uy’s report are crucial indicators of the city’s economic growth and identify areas for improvement. 

The significant growth rates seen in the “job creation,” “value of trade,” and “gross city domestic product” in Cagayan de Oro City illustrate the city’s success in implementing effective economic policies and its progress toward achieving sustainable development goals. 

The report does well to highlight these achievements and will hopefully provide insight and direction for continued progress in the years to come, according to Uy.

“It is a testament to the resilience of our people, the dynamism of our businesses, and the stability of our economic fundamentals,” he said.

Mayor Uy’s SOCA highlighted the effective and inclusive economic agenda of the “Rise”, noting its role alongside the collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches in creating a conducive environment for economic growth.

He also maintained he commended the joint efforts of the city’s economic managers, the City Council, and stakeholders for their contributions to this promising development. 

Additionally, Uy reaffirmed the council’s commitment to passing crucial pieces of legislation to further accelerate the country’s economic momentum for the benefit of all Cagay-anons.