CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Facing an enemy that has changed the world, Cagayan de Oro City has shown resilience, and even growth and proserity as it celebrates its 70th Charter Day, June 15.
In his annual report, Mayor Oscar Moreno said, “Today as we mark the 70th birthday [of the city], we are also experiencing a different challenge. With us today is an enemy that we do not see, an enemy that we do not know, an enemy that does not sleep, an enemy that does not rest, and an enemy that has changed the world. Dili tiaw kini nga sitwasyon (this is not an easy situation),” as he refers to the city’s fight against coronavirus disease (COVID)-19.
Noting that the city ranked lowest from the other 17 highly urbanized cities in the number of COVID-19 cases, Moreno commended the efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), and the City Health Office (CHO) as well as the frontliners in health, security and social services.
Despite the challenges, Moreno said the city has accomplished numerous feats to include 230.96 km paved road of which 3.48 km are completed for flood control structures and 5.61 km for the bank and slope protection projects.
Moreover, a partnership between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are set to have an embankment project from Barangays Bonbon and Macabalan going to Barangays Macasandig and Balulang.
The project is targeted to be completed by 2022. With this, “there will be no more Sendong” that will be experienced by Kagay-anons, Moreno said.
As for infrastructure, CDO has completed 480 classrooms and 273 more classrooms are currently built that include the 52 classrooms for City Central School. Also, since 2o13, 21 child development centers (CDCs) have been established, 5 are ongoing projects, and 14 more are to be built for the year.
In terms of hospital facilities, the city invested P125 million for the hospital in Lumbia where phases 1 and 2 have been completed with P50 million and P25 million budget, respectively.
Tagoloan hospital’s phase 1 has already been completed with P25 million budget and for its second phase, P50 million is allocated by the LGU and is already at 95 percent completion.
Furthermore, the city government is set to purchase two reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines for COVID-19 testing in NMMC. Thus, the hospital can now provide more tests with its seven units of testing machines.
Becoming a city in 1950, Cagayan de Oro, as Moreno stressed, has has experienced 70 years of continuing progress and prosperity.
“Our growth, our prosperity had been aided to a large extent because of our strategic location and also given that Cagayan de Oro is the center of education not just the province of Misamis but also of the upper half of Mindanao,” the mayor said. (RTP/PIA10)
