Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon stated that the city is steadily bouncing back from the downturn of COVID-19 as he delivered his State of the City Address during the 28th cityhood celebration, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The mayor also shared updates about the city government’s programs.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Mayor Ruffy Biazon delivered his first State of the City Address on Muntinlupa’s 28th cityhood anniversary on March 1 and said the city is bouncing back from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has been a true test of our strength, even of our faith. It has been—and for some, still is—a difficult time, but the good news is that we are steadily bouncing back. We are steadily recovering from the effects of the crisis caused by the pandemic,” he said.
One indicator, he said, is that the number of registered businesses in Muntinlupa increased to 12,232 as of Jan. 31 this year, up by 59 percent from 7,651 in January 2022.
Muntinlupa became a highly urbanized city on March 1, 1995 when then President Fidel Ramos signed Republic Act 7926 or the Charter of the City of Muntinlupa.
According to Biazon, in 2022, the Muntinlupa City government collected P6.03 billion in total revenues, exceeding the target income for the year with 101.09 collection efficiency.
“This means we have enough collections to fund our pandemic recovery programs and projects,” he said.
Under his administration, he focused on reviving the local economy and in strengthening health services and education.
“It is important to mention that Congressman Jimmy Fresnedi’s leadership paved the way for the progressive and developed Muntinlupa that it is today,” he said.
He added, “Our cityhood journey, and now our road to pandemic recovery, underscores the importance of working together, and shows what we can do when we are focused towards a more livable and more responsive city for Muntinlupeños.”
Biazon ran and won as mayor in the May 2022 elections, and launched his 7K Agenda containing the blueprint of his administration.
HEALTH – In 2022, he said, the city government continued its immunization program against Covid-19. The city achieved 136 percent vaccination rate of the eligible target population, or 580,614 individuals, while 80 percent have received their booster shots. In addition, 80 percent of the target population got immunized under the Chikiting Bakunation Program.
The Putatan Health Center was transformed into a Super Health Center that expanded medical and diagnostic services, and operating hours up to 10 p.m. The health center provides basic consultation, minor surgery, laboratory and radiology services, ultrasound for pregnant women and medicine.
The Biazon administration also launched the Womb to Work Program aiming to provide programs for children.
Services at the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa were improved including the construction of a new annex building that increased the facility’s bed capacity from 200 to 250.
“I’m also glad to share with you all that we can look forward to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa being an accredited Malasakit Center in the near future. This program, in partnership with the national government, will serve as a one-stop hub for requesting assistance for medical services and for providing indigent patients access to free medicines and quality health care and medical intervention,” said Biazon.
EDUCATION – Biazon thanked the Schools Division Office for preparing for the return of nearly 89,000 students to face-to-face classes. He turned over hygiene kits to the office as part of the full implementation of face-to-face classes in public schools.
The city government also launched programs such as the Muntinlupa Reading Book Club to encourage reading among the youth.
Under the city’s scholarship program, 82,000 students have received financial assistance. Of the P450 million budget for scholarship programs, 85 percent of it is for elementary and high schools students. The city also has about 3,000 college and university scholars.
The Doctor of Medicine Program of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and Ospital ng Muntinlupa was also launched.
LIVELIHOOD – Biazon said Muntinlupa was recognized as the fifth most competitive economy among 33 highly urbanized cities in the Philippines by the Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness Bureau.
Under the Dagdag Puhunan, or zero-interest loan program of the city government, more than P20 million was provided to 7,533 entrepreneurs
This year, he said, the city government will launch the SIKAP loan or startup capital loan for those who want to start their own business.
He also thanked business owners who have complied with City Ordinance 96-80 that mandates that at least 70 percent of their total workforce should be from Muntinlupa. He is requesting for the amendment of the ordinance to give incentives to businesses that have 100 percent Muntinlupa resident employees.
The mayor also thanked the Department of Agriculture, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for holding the Kadiwa program in Muntinlupa.
To find more details from the mayor’s speech, click https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/02/biazons-soca-muntinlupa-steadily-bouncing-back/
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Did the mayor deliver all the relevant details in his speech? What do you think the City Government should do to strengthen the local economy to pre-pandemic levels?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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Author Carlo Carrasco 