CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy emphasized the importance of family economic and environmental development under the RISE Development Framework.
This framework stands for Regionalization and Metropolization, Institutional Development, Security and Safety, Economic Recovery, and Sustainability.
Mayor Uy also discussed the ongoing construction of a new disaster coordination center in Barangay Carmen, which will feature advanced 911 technology for improved disaster response.
During the city's 74th Charter Day celebration and his 2nd State of the City Address on June 15, Mayor Uy highlighted that despite recent recognitions and awards, the local government still needs to address the economic challenges faced by poor families due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stated that his administration's priority programs and projects are focused on resolving these issues.
According to Uy as he mentioned the importance of emergency response confidence among families.
The city is building a new disaster coordination center in Barangay Carmen, expected to be completed in a few months, Uy said.
This center will feature next-generation 911 technology for more effective disaster response.
Uy stressed that the city's goal is not only to achieve a prosperous lifestyle but also to ensure that every family has access to basic government services and can afford services from private businesses.
He believes that improving each family's economic situation will contribute to the overall development of the city.
CDO Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the commitment to serving the public with responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.
She urged everyone to celebrate Charter Day with a renewed commitment to accountability and integrity.
Mayor Uy highlighted the unity and dedication of the local government in delivering essential services, programs, and projects to CDO residents and their families.
Despite the city's status as the second richest city outside Metro Manila, he acknowledged that there is still much work to be done for full economic recovery.
In 2023, the city issued 30,962 business permits, including 5,414 for new businesses, generating P5.6 billion in business tax collections.
The Barangay Empowerment Program funded 78 projects across 50 barangays with P256 million.
The "People’s Day" program served over 18,000 people between July 2023 and April 2024, addressing issues related to housing, water, traffic violations, burial assistance, and regulatory compliance.
Financial assistance requests were also accommodated.
The "Klarex nga Serbisyo sa Barrio" program served nearly 150,000 people on 36 occasions, while the "Suroy-Suroy sa Barrio Program" provided health services to over 13,000 individuals.
In education, 15,194 scholars are currently enrolled in universities and technical-vocational institutes for the 2024-2025 school year, including 12 medical students and 19 law students.
Mayor Uy praised the management of JR Borja General Hospital for achieving Level II accreditation.
The hospital has a 175-bed capacity, advanced laboratory and radiology facilities, and 27 hemodialysis machines.
The outpatient department now operates until 10:00 p.m. to accommodate more patients.
Social services provided support to approximately 15,000 families in crisis, 6,000 senior citizens, 3,000 persons with disabilities, 5,000 solo parents, and 10,000 children through the Early Child Care and Development program.
Six new ECCD centers were also opened.
In 2023, the city saw 775,024 tourist arrivals, a 12.72 percent increase from the previous year.
The police force's efforts led to a 3.5 percent decrease in the crime rate, with high crime solution and clearance efficiencies.
Dr. Hobart P. Savior, Director of the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts, praised the mayor for a comprehensive report on the city's achievements.
He noted that the progress involved multiple stakeholders, not just the mayor.
Mayor Uy stated that he remains open to discussions with stakeholders and regional officials about the city's metropolization and its impact on neighboring towns. (with SAYU/PIA-10)
