Mayor reveals 2006 programs and projects for Cotabato City

Cotabato City (10 May) — Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin G. Sema delivered his State of the City Address (SOCA) at the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC) on 09 May 2006, and carried live over DXMY and DXMS.

Said SOCA gathered various comments and reactions from both private and government sector.

Pete Marquez, president of the Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce & Industry said, he was glad about the plans of the City which will benefit the business sector like the repair/rehabilitation of city streets and key bridges.\\Senior Citizens president Damiana Roldan expects that the plans focusing on social and human development will also be implemented in due time.

Sema’s Early Childhood Education and Health program is fully supported by the barangays which will benefit women and children.

First Lady & Tourism Council President Bai Sandra Sema said the new city hall shall be the symbol of unity of the Moro, Christian and Lumad people. This will also be ‘gate’ to the development and success of tourism in the area.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Councilor Wilfrido H. Bueno assured the full support of the City Legislators to all the programs of Mayor Sema.

Even if at times there may be contradictions from the Council, just the same it is the Council’s obligation to plan for ordinances and projects for the welfare of the people, he said.

Bueno expressed optimism that with the new programs/projects being implemented will help bring back the City to its first class status.

Moreover, City Vice-Mayor Japal Guiani, Jr. challenged the City Police to strengthen its drive against criminality due to the fact that the crime situation has risen last year as compared to the previous years.

Out of the 583 crimes in 2005, only 71.40% solution was noted which means only 400 crimes against persons and properties were resolved.

City PNP spokesperson Sr. Insp Samson Obatay said that the PNP’s lack of facilities and transportation are the main reasons, aside from the need of more policemen. Obatay bared this during a previous interview made by DXMS.

With the issuance of Proclamation no. 3722 of the Sangguniang Panglungsod that has requested the PNP Headquarters to provide transportation to the City PNP, Guiani is hopeful the crime solution will improve. (wrb/PIA 12)