Klarex provides opportunities for Cagayanons to reap

By Rayven Janlay
Team OKKA . 

PERHAPS the most hands-on and visible congressman in Cagayan de Oro is Congressman Rolando “Klarex” Uy. This is apparent in his projects, programs, and activities everywhere—be it through the development of roads, cheaper medicines, schools, and others.

He envisions unity and empowerment of barangays and leaders to attain a progressive, developed, and healthy communities, through faithfully serving the people of Cagayan de Oro and develop leaders through commitment and dedication in good governance principles.

Various legislations were authored and co-authored by this man of integrity. Because of his commitment and concern for the marginalized, Republic Act (RA) 9904, Providing for Magna Carta for Homeowner’s Association and House Bill (HB) 89, Establish a Socialized and Low Cost Housing Restructuring Program were legislated through his co-authorship and later on implemented in District 1. He also promotes hardwork through livelihood projects, as Congressman Klarex also co-authored RA 9501, a law that encourages entrepreneurship by strengthening development and assistance program to micro, small, and medium scale enterprises, amending for the purpose RA 6977, popularly known as the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises.

In line with livelihood and entrepreneurship, road development programs are being implemented now through the leadership of Congressman Uy – Besigan, Dansolihon, Tignapoloan, and various farm-to-market roads that were not cemented in the previous administration are painstakingly worked on and cemented at this point. Through concreting roads, our farmers are able to transport their products to the city proper, particularly to markets, malls, and grocery stores. The creation of the 1st Engineering District (DPWH) in Cagayan de Oro City was his legislation through HB 9690.

Apart from endorsing ways of generating income, Congressman Klarex also encourages the people to rest, for we can only do as much. The declaration of the feast day of St. Augustine is also a legislation done by him: every 28^th day of August is declared a Special Non-Working Holiday for Cagayan de Oro City through HB 9664.

Congressman Klarex also includes health and sanitation in his agenda. In the past year, one of the legislation landmarks that he proposed is HB 1542, which established a 50-bed District Hospital to be known as Lumbia District Hospital. Although this was not carried out at Congress, City Mayor Oscar Moreno pushed the project through local funds because they both saw the need to have one in the area. Construction of the said hospital is ongoing as of present writing. The Pharmacy Law was also co-authored written by Congressman Klarex, which is now providing for cheaper and quality medicines, and RA 6675 for the Generics Act.

Furthermore, together with Mayor Moreno, they intend to promote quality education, as he wrote and amended HB 6549, HB 6550, HB 6556, which now separate and expanded San Simon National Highschool, Dansolihon National Highschool, and Besigan National Highschool from their respective Mother Schools.

Citizen participation is also crucial in good governance. He is one of these who authored HB 5210 exempts Senior Citizens from the Payment of Value-Added Tax, Amending for the Purpose RA 7432.

Equally important apart from crafting laws, is to strengthen existing policies, and create systems wherein revenue and incentives are put into place: Congressman Klarex allowed the increase of the share of Local Government Units in the National Internal Revenue Taxes, amending Section 284 of RA 7160. HB 2065 is also written to regulate the Drinking Water Business Providing Penalties in Violation. In terms of transportation, the institutionalization of the Roll On/Roll Off (Roro) Terminal System or RA 1993.

The ultimate goal of Congressman Klarex is to listen to the sectors that comprise the people of Cagayan de Oro. In one of the workshops for his campaign team, it was emphasized that Congressman Klarex, together with those who represent his office, should, at all times uphold principles of good governance, the rule of law, and values of loyalty, honesty, approachability, and faith in God.

(Rayven Janlay is a staff member in the office of Rep. Rolando Uy.)