MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, July 8 (PIA)—Despite threats of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, the Municipal Government of Mambajao marked numerous achievements and developments on its 165th founding anniversary, July 6.
In his State of the Municipality Address (SOMA), Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo cited various efforts of the government in uplifting the lives of its constituents including activities on COVID-19 response, social services, disaster risk reduction and management, infrastructure development, environmental protection, agriculture, and tourism.
“Truly, we have come a long way since 1855. Mambajao achieved so many milestones and endured so many challenges. And in all of these, we have become a much bigger community and a much better town in so many wonderful ways,” Romualdo said.
COVID-19 response
With a total budget allocation of P27 million, the municipal government has implemented activities and strengthened measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“Through the creation of the Municipal COVID-19 Task Force, we were able to speed up the delivery of information and education to all our 15 barangays. Early on, we were able to activate our Barangay Health Emergency Response Team or BHERT and establish our COVID-19 Emergency Operation Center,” Romualdo said.
The said budget enabled the town to provide necessary assistance to the distribution of Social Amelioration Program emergency subsidy to 7,437 beneficiaries and provision of LGU-initiated care packs to 6,237 recipients.
Aside from purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) to health frontliners, medicines and laboratory equipment needed to respond to the current health crisis, the municipal government also prioritized the creation of 15 quarantine facilities and one isolation facility accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).
Since March, Mambajao has assisted locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and facilitated the testing of 63 individuals who yielded negative results in the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.
Significant accomplishments
Apart from COVID-19 response, the local government boasts its accomplishments over the years for health, education, social services, and good governance.
With an approved budget of P33 million from last year’s P29 million, Mambajao was able to install 173 smart street lighting system located along the highway, and the solar panel in the municipal hall that cut off around 39.64 percent or P150,000 from the hall’s electricity bill.
“Through the assistance of our Congressman, Hon. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, we received about P259 million in 2019 that funded 23 infrastructure projects such as river controls, local road concreting, building construction and rehabilitation, among others,” Romualdo said.
Furthermore, the town’s 93.38 percent of population is currently using a Level III water system which means 9,535 households have access to steady, safe and reliable sources of water directly into their home faucets.
As a top tourist destination, Mambajo ensures that environment protection tails along with developments. Thus, the municipal government led the planting of 2,019 trees, deputized 26 fish wardens and a 15-man team of the Coastal Law Enforcement, and initiated the registration of 730 fisherfolk in 2019.
In terms of tax collection, the municipal government marked a 7.94 increase or P156 million collections in 2019 compared to P144 million in 2018. Also, business registrations in the town increased by 25.1 percent in 2019.
Farmers also get their fair share from the government as the LGU established the P2.3 million Organic Vegetable and Corn Techno Demo Farm in Sitio Binunsaran, Poblacion, and provided 2,500 seedlings of cacao.
Noting these major accomplishments, Romualdo said, “Our administration now is committed to not just embrace the new normal as we want to wholly rededicate ourselves into creating the better normal. We will continue to serve you not in words, but in real deeds.” (RTP/PIA10)