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From the Mayors’ Desk
Atty.
Rey Andre Olegario
The Mayor of any given LGU is
customarily looked upon as its “Father” (or “mother” as the
case may be). I have, in the past 2 terms as Ipil Municipal
Mayor, accepted that label without difficulty. In the last 3rd
term given to me, I have realized that as a good father, I
must be able to leave behind me a legacy which will help and
strengthen the LGU even after my term is done. “Ipil: Building
Today Out Of Yesterday For A Stronger Tomorrow” has in fact
been the rallying theme for this administration.
 Hence,
allow me to share my concerns for this municipality.
The opportunities and
challenges this LGU faces are indeed vast and varied. This is
perhaps due to its strategic geographical location. This is
also because Ipil is the Capital of the new province of
Zamboanga Sibugay.
The “centrality” of its
position has made Ipil quite accessible by good roads (a
recent welcome development), to the three major cities of
Zamboanga, Pagadian, and Dipolog. The presence of
communication stations, several commercial and government
banks, lending agencies, hotels, plus a vibrant trading
business all give Ipil an “urban” sheen, noticeable already to
many visitors.
Atty. Rey Andre Olegario, Municipal Mayor
Ipil, in short, is a
municipality in progress!
My concerns for the year 2005
include the development of an important and much needed
project – the Integrated Bus Terminal. An area of 8 hectares
is targeted to contain this terminal complex, as well as the
commercial center extension and residential subdivision, and,
when funds are available, a “gymnatorium” ( a gymnasium and
auditorium kind of building). Another subdivision located at
Capitol Heights, also a prime project, is designed for LGU employees and other
government workers.
While we have an existing
water system, I am fully aware of its limitations. Thus,
another major focus is to establish a plan whereby additional
water resources are identified. At present, a tie-up with
Tungawan’s water source is being seriously considered. I have
therefore encouraged Gov. George Hofer to vigorously pursue
his “fatherly” interest in the Tungawan water source.
Our public market operations
and management as an Economic Enterprise, recently showcased
during the Government Expo sponsored by the LGSP in Davao City, has earned for Ipil the
Kaagapay Seal for Excellence in Local Governance Award. The
Public Market is only one example of the great possibilities
opened for Ipil with the help and support of Civil Society.
The participation of NGOs in governance has been fully
encouraged by this administration.
There are still a lot of
learning processes this LGU has to undergo. Thus, Letters of
Intent (LOI) to the Asian Foundation (to give the LGU better
and more efficient planning skills) and to the DENR (for our
Coastal Resources Management) has been just dispatched. It
has also been my philosophy that the plans for the needed
infrastructure of the LGU should never be hampered by limited
financial resources. Fortunately, I have been able to access
our financial needs to resources, both local and national, by
being the Chapter President of the League of Municipalities of
the Philippines.
Ipil’s Solid Waste Management
10-Year Plan is being institutionalized through the Municipal
Administrator’s Office, which is an office I opted to make
functional in this last term.
We are, so far, experiencing a
demographic “explosion” of sorts which poses interesting
challenges for this municipality. It is fortunate that a
spirit of cooperation and partnership has been able to evolve
during my years as Municipal Mayor.
I am thus personally grateful
for the added technology and capability building trainings
given by the Eco-Gov and other such agencies. Another plus
factor are the lending institutions like LandBank, Development
Bank of the Philippines, PNB, Quedancor, WMCIP, and the
continuous support of our own thriving local business sector.
Allow me, lastly, to thank the
people of Ipil, the provincial government, and the fifteen
other municipalities of Zamboanga Sibugay for making my role
as “Amahan sa Katawhan sa Ipil” a much simpler role to enact
because of all their support and encouragement.
May God bless us all !
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