Sangyaw Mindanaw - Iligan City and Mindanao News and Commentaries

Editorial

2007-07-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Kidnap Capital of Asia

Philippines is one of the best countries in Asia. It has been visited by several foreigners and tourists because of its good reputation. For this reason, hotel business in the Philippines becomes so lucrative. Per observation, even in our city, number of hotels increased and pop up like mushrooms.

Peace and order could be the destruction to the growth of hotel business in the Philippines. However, new scheme is created to maintain the growth of this business. There are group of individuals, to wit; Abu Sayaff, MILF break-away group, or Muslim Extremists, that have invented this scheme. As told to the press, a commander of the MILF referred the kidnappers of Fr. Bossi as amateurs.

It has been several days now and several news have been heard about the kidnapping of an Italian Priest, Fr. Giancarlo Bossi. Father Bossi was said to be in the Places of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and the Zamboanga Sibugay. It was said that the kidnappers demanded million of pesos ransom for the Italian priest. However, the government sticks to its no-ransom policy which pushed the kidnappers to demand for payment for the priest’s board and lodging.

This scheme is not new to the kidnappers. Several kidnapping incidents happened before also demanded for ransom and were denied payment which then shifted its demand to board and lodging payment. What a nice hotel and restaurant business?! Could this make hotel business lucrative? Several government in Europe and Italy released advisory that the Mindanao is one of the places to be avoided to visit because of its unstable peace and order. But the Philippine Government and the local government of Lanao did nothing to prosecute the abductors. The government exerted no effort to catch and indict the person responsible despite that this people could be easily located. The Philippines tolerated this occurrence.

If the government will continue to do this kidnapping tolerations, how many Fr. Bossi’s, how many Regis Romero, how many Martin Burnham, how many Gracia Burnham, how many Guillermo Sobero will be the next victim? And the name of the Philippines as “Kidnap Capital of Asia” will continue to be heard.

Legal Information

2007-07-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

A GROSSLY DISTURBING PROBLEM FOR ILIGAN
By Atty Ver Quimco

The May 14 elections granted the Cruz administration a fresh mandate to govern the City of Iligan for the next three years. It was a sweeping mandate for the Cruz which comfortably stands now without any challenge from any political opposition. It can be observed that there is no single figure now in the present set of elective officials that come from the opposition or any political party adverse to the administration. Neither does it appear that any figure among the elective officials promises a convincing independent stand of the issues of governance that will come up during their term.
The situation offers a lot of positive opportunities for the City. Firstly, it will give the administration absolute freedom to govern its affairs and pursue its programs without the usual delays and debates brought about by nuances of partisan politics. Secondly, it will open brighter opportunities of uniting all sectors to rally behind the visions of the local government. Expectedly then, the situation will expedite the flow of services that the local government is expected to offer to the people.
Yet such situation offers more problems than advantages to the City. The importance of a healthy and responsible opposition to all democratic governments is a conclusive argument. Our leaders no matter how noble their intentions are, no matter how high the level or their integrity is, still are human beings who are susceptible to shortcomings even in their political or collective judgments. That is exactly the reason why the law established systems of checks and balance among different departments of government. That precisely even the reason why the law itself recognizes the need for a system in our politics wherein through the opposition the voice of the majority also can be heard. By then, the excess, abuses, and shortcomings of those who governed can be minimized. It is only through that situation that democracy and good governance can be exalted.
Such is the emerging problem in the City for the next three years. Without elective political opposition figure that can articulate the check and balance needed by the Cruz administration like any administration for that matter, who will now speak against their mistakes? Who will now blow the whistle against corruption and mismanagement within the administration. With all due respect viewing from our experience, and the background of those who have enjoyed the peoples trust for the next term in the City, I still have to find one who can speak with his true courage and conscience against the mistakes of his peers or allies.
The first term of Cruz administration was not exempt from controversies and allegations of corruption and mismanagement. From overpricing and questionable procurements and transactions, to questionable projects, and scandalous ordinances like the cash reward ordinance (remember the ordinance passed last term wherein the elective officials appropriated millions for their own benefit after completing three elective terms? It remains effective until now and those who are behind it are bent for its immediate implementation for their benefit).
These issues continue to inflict damage upon the City, and will not be rendered moot just because those involved are re-elected in a popular mandate. And while these controversies continue to haunt the City at the outset of the second term for the Cruz administration the people will be looking for figures within the local government upon whom they can expect to advocate for their interest. And surely they will be looking in vain. . Definitely not upon anybody in the City government who will enjoy our mandate for the next three years. In fact what makes things worse is that one businessman who was involved in the Blue Cross Scam, which business was even blacklisted for such anomalous transaction was even fortunate enough to be elected as 10th member of the present Sangguniang Panglunsod.

Truly, the absence of opposition in the City government is one big opportunity for the Cruz administration to hasten its programs, and expedite the delivery of basic services to the people. Yet however noble its intentions are. However sincere it will be to establish a truly transparent and accountable local government. The absence of a credible opposition deprives the Cruz administration of an effective tool to check its excesses and malfunctions. And I am afraid these may also deprive this administration the democratically installed opportunity to look objectively upon itself from within.

That to me is a grossly disturbing problem.

( Questions and suggestions may be sent to the columnist. Atty. Ver Quimco, Center for Alternative Legal Forum and Justice( CALL FOR JUSTICE) rm 202 , 2nd flr. Monsanto Blg. Celdran Road, Rosario Heights, Tubod, Iligan City. Listen to the broadcast version of this column. Legal Information. 6:45 to 7:00 every morning Monday to Saturday. DXLS Fm Iligan City. Log on to www.tawaghustisya.com.)

Am I Blinded

2007-07-08T08:17:00.001-07:00

Human Security Act of 2007, Bossi kidnapping,
and its impact to local economy

The newsflash on TV recently that the local economy of Zamboanga Sibugay province will be affected corollary to the still unresolved kidnapping of Fr. Bossi is expected.

Certainly, this kidnapping incident as in the past kidnap-for-ransom acts will serve as a black eye before the national and international community. Prospective investors will definitely think twice of investing or of pulling out from the affected locality if they had already started putting up one. And, the need to resolve the kidnapping with dispatch could not be overemphasized.

Hence, every opportunity to help in ending the problem must be tapped to the hilt including those coming from groups like the MILF with whom the government has an ongoing talks to hammer out a lasting peace agreement, and even individuals, politicians or otherwise, regardless of who earns the credit later.

Relatively, our City of Iligan could not just stand by idly with all the negative publicity brought about by Fr. Bossi’s kidnapping. Especially so that news if not mere rumors came to the fore lately that the abductors of Fr. Bossi were sighted at the boundaries of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

For whether we like it or not, our City of Iligan, although thanks heaven it is relatively peaceful, would be affected to some extent. It could not afford to stay at the sidelines as mere spectator since our city also needs new investors to prop up the local economy and provide employment opportunities as it still reels from the impact of the industry meltdown caused by the regional currency crisis that badly hit the Asian economies in 1997. Thus, our local government must actively participate to the best it could using available resources to helping find ways in resolving the kidnapping issue in due time.

On the other hand, the kidnapping of Fr. Bossi is virtually sending chilling effects to the spine of groups or individuals who are watching with keen interest the implementation of the Human Security Act of 2007 otherwise known as Republic Act No. 9372. Said law is set to be enforced in July this year or two months from the May 14, 2007 elections, and after the promulgation of its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Although RA 9372 on its face is a welcome development as it is designed to punish acts of terrorism as defined under the same law or stamp out terrorist groups or individuals, some, especially human rights advocates, are having reservations about it. For one, the provision that law enforcers are given authority to detain for three days persons suspected of violating the law, in a way increasing the period of detention as provided under Art. 125 of the Revised Penal Code, that is, 12 hours for crimes punishable by light offenses, 18 hours for correccional penalties, and 36 hours for afflictive or capital penalties, is seen to be a potential source of abuse for those exercising political powers.

Second, the provision authorizing law enforcers to conduct surveillance operations including wire-tapping activities on suspected groups that are judicially declared and outlawed as terrorists, their members, and individuals charged with or suspected of the crime of terrorism, is regarded as an intrusion to one’s privacy. This provision, notwithstanding, it is provided in the same law some kind of safeguards to avoid its abuse, and that is, before any actual surveillance is conducted, a written order from the Court of Appeals is to be secured first. And the Court of Appeals has only to act on the ex parte application for surveillance of a police or law enforcement official authorized in writing by the Anti-Terrorism Council composed of the Executive Secretary as chairperson and six other members coming from the different departments of the government.

Third, is the provision allowing the law enforcers to freeze and seize bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, and assets of organizations judicially declared and outlawed as terrorist groups or of individuals charged with or suspected of committing acts of terrorism. This measure, however, can also be resorted to upon written authority from the Court of Appeals on ex parte application of a law enforcement official who is duly authorized in writing by the Anti-Terrorism Council as stated earlier.

The apprehensions brought about by RA 9372 notwithstanding, are in a way mitigated by the provisions that state that persons who are detained and charged but eventually are acquitted are entitled to P500,000.00 a day as damages, and groups whose assets are frozen and seized but which later on found to be without basis are likewise entitled to P500,000.00 per day compensation as damages to be taken from the budget of the department of the law enforcers who are responsible for the fiasco.

But what seems to be the brighter side relative to the soon-to-be implemented RA 9372 was the recent declaration by no less than Pres. Arroyo herself to review the anti-insurgency policy of the government. And, also the reported commitment of the AFP leadership to pursue massive education on human rights based on the constitution and international covenants for its members. This was arrived at during the recent visit of the European Commission representatives headed by Mr. Mcdonald.

Hopefully, the implementation of the Human Security Act of 2007 would be a welcome development for all even at the level of the local economy.

- ENDS -

Clear the Cache

2007-07-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

UNANG GULA

Grabe man ka excited ang halos tanan sa unang gula ning Sangyaw Mindanaw. Sa tumang kahinam-hinam sa tanan, di na nako mahunahuna-an kun unsa ba gayud ang akong tulumanon, di gani nako mahibal-an kun kinsa kaha ko dinhi sa Sangyaw - usa ba kaha ka opisyal, pribadong tawo, reporter, o kulumnista, o kinsa kaha. Mo-uban-uban ba kaha ako sa kinaiya nga mopa-ilin-ilin sa pabor sa hangin sa politika o ipadayon ang akong na-andan nga mainitiong idealismong pagkabatan-on. Hay!? Hastang makalilibog gayud ka nahinam-hinam lagi sa unang pag-gula sa Sangyaw ug sa una nakong likang dinhi sa bag-ong kalibutan nako sa prensa.
Ang akong asawa nga kauban nako dinhi ug may kaugalingon nga column, gahinam-hinam usab sama kanako. Nabatyagan nako nga nahadlok siya kay wa pa makahimo sa iyang artikulo. Lingaw kayo kay bag-o pa man kami nagminyo ug nabaghuan siya sa iya kinabuhi, kay gikan man lagi siya sa mabibo nga lugar sa Cagayan de Oro ug sa Manila, ug dugay nagtuyok-tuyok ang iyang kalibutan didto. Paghidangat niya dinhi sa Iligan kay nangita sa pinakagwapo nga Kapitan sa tibu-uk Pilipinas(?), sulti niya nga mingaw kuno ang dakbayan ug wa man siyay mga gimbuhaton aron dili siya laayon dinhi ilabi na nga wala ang iyang pamilya ug mga su-ud nga higala kadaghana. Nabalaka usab ako kay basin dili siya mahigugma sa atong Dakbayan. Ah, gihatagan ko siya’g mga giya aron aduna siya’y kalingawan dinhi sa atong dakbayan gamit ang iyang mga kurso ug ang iyang ubang talento diha sa serbisyo publiko. Karon, tan-aw ko mora man ug napuno na ang iyang oras ug basin malupigan pa ko niya sa iyang paghigugma sa atong Dakbayan.
Labaw sa tanan nga naghinam-hinam ma-o ang akong pamilya ug su-ud nga mga higala kay ti-aw mo, ana-a na pod ako sa prensa na pod karon. Malingaw sila kay halos tanan aspeto sa kinabuhi gisudlan naman nako. Unsa pa kahay wala? Unsa-on ta man nga ganahan man ako niini, ilabi na nga labaw sa akong kasing-kasing ang hiyas diha sa paghigugma sa yutang natawhan. Matam-is para kanako apan hilas biya sa uban – pero gakinahanglanon nato ilabina sa mga bag-ong henerasyon. Ingon pa “jack of all trade” na daw ako. Sultian ko kamo, ma-o na ra bay uso karon sa human resource management ang gitawag nilag multi-tasking. Kana bang dili lang usa ang nahibal-an nga skill o talento sa tawo, kun dili daghan o ubay-ubay ang iyang nahibal-an para maka-apas diha sa pagkapas-pas nga dagan sa kalambuan sa information technology.
Maanindot gayud kaayo paminawon kun daghan ang gahinam-hinam sa Sangyaw Mindanao kay mahalin usab ang among pamantalaan. Sayod seguro kamo nga daghan biyang mga pamantalaan nga nanga-sira kay hinay man ang mamalitay o mamasahay sa pamantalaan. Ilabina dinhi sa ato-a. Dili biya maayo nga mamatay lang ang prensa ilabina ang mga tinguha sa gustong mag-abri ug pamantalaan, kay basin mamatay usab ang atong sagradong katungod nga maoy sinugdanan sa tanang klaseng kagawasan nga mahinumduman sa tawo, ang gitawag sa englis pa nga freedom of expression. Kana bitawng katungod nga ang katawhan libre kaayo mopadayag sa iyang kaugalingong huna-huna. Sa demokrasya gud, gikinahanglan nga respetohan ang kinaugalingon nga huna-huna sa matag tawo kay gi-ila man nato nga ang tawo walay kapareha. Dili pod pwede sa demokrasya nga ang dagan sa atong palibot ug sa atong kaugalingon, kontrolahon lamang sa limitadong huna-huna sa pipila ka tawo. Tan-aw pod nato nga sa mga malambu-un nga demokratikanhong nasud, gawasnon kaayo ang tawo nga mopadayag sa iyang huna-huna, bisan kini ma-anindot o masakit para sa uban. Apan tungod kay nagsalig kita sa intelehenteng panghuna-huna sa katawhan nga matimbang-timbang o mapili nila ang mga huna-huna nga gipadayag sa uban kun kini maka-ayo ba sa ilang kaugalingon o sa tanan o sa lugar. Kadaghana sa mga nasud nga nag-ilaid sa kapobrehon, ang dagan sa ilang palibot o panggobyerno gi-diktahan lamang sa mga pipila, ug wala intawoy mapilian ang mga tawo kun unsa o kinsa ba gayud ang tinu-ud. Ana kana dinhi sa atong nasud diin pipila lang ka mga pamilya, tawo o network of media moguls ang nagkontrolar sa mga impormasyon nga makuha sa mga tawo. Gikinahanglan gayud nga aron magpabilin ang demokrasya, tagaan ang tanan ug kahigayonan nga makapadayag, daghan siyang mapilian nga mga huna-huna sa nagkalain-lain nga mga tawo ug ang pag-respeto niini.
Nakahuna-huna dayon ako nga kun mahimo ba kini nato dinhi sa Iligan? Ma-edukar ba nato ang katawhan kun unsa kabililhon ang freedom of expression? Unsaon ba kaha nga mabasahan sa kadaghana ang among pamantalaan aron mabati sa tanan ang freedom of expression?
Dili kini pasalig apan usa kini ka hiyas o kinaiya nako nga kun aduna man akoy ipakita sa publiko maski unsa man, ako kanang paningkamotan nga ma-anindot ang presentasyon, ma-edukar ang tawo, mahingangha o mahikurat sila ug makahatag dasig sa tanan para sa unsa ang ilang buhaton sa sunod nga panahon.
Ako ipadayag kaninyo ang tanang butang nga may kalambigitan sa dakbayan sa Iligan ug sa nasud nga makahatag ug interes sa katawhan ug mosil-sil unta diha kaninyo ug makahimo kamo ug usa ka milyon nga mga pangutana inig human niyo ug basa sa akong artikulo. Dili ako mo-gamit sa naandan nga pagpresentar kay mogamit ako sa binag-o nga paagi nga deretso gayud maigo ang huna-huna, pangutok, kasing-kasing, kahiladman ug interest ninyo. Daghan kaayo ang akong mahatag kaninyo. Pananglitan mo-hisgot ako sa teritoryo sa Iligan, iyang kasaysayan, sa mga katawhan, kultura ug uban pa. Wala pa gani labot ang mga gawi sa atong pangagamhanan. Kadaghana mo-saway, puwede usab kita ana ug puwede usab kita mo-dayeg kay bati na kaayo nga halos negatibo na lang ang mabasa sa mga tawo ug wala na gayoy maayo sa gobyerno ug mahitabo mawala na gayod ang pagsalig sa gobyerno.
Tanang bahin sa isyu nga ipa-dayag dinhi kaninyo, mabasa ninyo sa patas nga pamaagi ug sa walay pagdapig-dapig. Kay kun dapigan ang usa ug dili ang interes sa mga katawhan nga nagbasa, segurado ako nga mamatay dayon ang among pamantalaan. Kuha-on gayud ang motibo, intensyon ug hinungdan sa tanan. Dinhi ang mga katawhan makatimbang-timbang dayon.
Sa tanan nga naghinam-hinam, padayon sa inyong pagsalig dinhi kanamo ug isip mga bagong sumusubang nga mga membro sa prensa, panghinaot kamo nga makahatag kami diha kaninyo ug mga bag-o nga mga huna-huna.
Congratulations sa tanang lumilihok sa Sangyaw Mindanaw. Sunod nga artikulo nako maanindot kaayo! Hulati gayud kini.

MY THOUGHTS VIEWED

2007-07-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

New term, new hope, new avenue, new life in Mindanao!

Greetings of Peace and Goodwill!
Majority of our elected government officials took their oath of office last June 30, 2007, exactly four days ago, except those up to this time have not yet been proclaimed by the COMELEC for various reasons. Last May 2007 local and national elections, Mindanao areas have caught national attention where in some regions electoral fraud and rampant vote buying was present and apparent. It is rather a sad predicament to the entire Mindanao populace.
Oftentimes, people from Luzon and Visayas areas depict Mindanao as haven of armed conflict, of hungry people away from civilization and the place for terrorists, prostitutes, hookers and kidnappers. When I had the chance to find work in Manila and lived like the rest of them, I often received a mixture of reactions from those who have not come nor visited this noted land of promise. I remembered my officemate used to ask me whether it was my first time to be in a mall! And throughout an entire daily attendance of celebration of Holy Eucharist in a parish nearest to my residence, one priest never fails to specially mention praying for Mindanao conflicts. And how many times did I overhear people in jeepneys, FX, LRT, MRT and malls when people from Mindanao never speak their native language when they converse among themselves and opted to speak funny accent Tagalog for fear of being discriminated against. These are only few of the many instances when to my observations, Mindanaoans are misunderstood and misjudged.
While it is undeniable that in some areas here in Mindanao, electoral fraud and rampant vote-buying exists, majority of the people are still possessed with many heroic virtues. And one particular area I cannot fail to mention is Iligan City. Iligan City is still composed of many intelligent voters. Voters here elect into office persons based on their moral judgment about a candidate and their sense of being involved and not because they are bought. And of course, Cagayan de Oro City is a highly progressive city where voters elect persons with progressive, novel and positive ideas for their territory. And Davao City is opening doors for international progress too. These are only few examples of cities in Mindanao and even when elements of criminality occur time and again in minimal occasion, it is really not right to typify our beloved island in a negative fashion.
This is time for fresh and new things for all. This is a beginning of new term for those who will hold the reign of our government; new hope for Mindanao if the newly instituted government officials would do the task efficiently, honestly and free of graft and corruption, always keeping in mind that they hold crucial mission and duty for the people they vowed to serve when they run for the position to which they got elected; new avenue for people who would like to share freely their minds and ideas for the contribution of development and open expression of themselves and balance information founded only in truth, justice and honest service, here in Sangyaw Mindanaw; and new life for me as I embrace married life with my husband Jun, got back to the land of my birth, Mindanao and see what I can contribute to its welfare and improvement, aware of the fact that every knowledge I acquire, values and virtues I made my own I get them all from here, through the schools and universities that molded my skills, from friends across the Philippines, from foreigners who taught me how to love my own country, and my family and relatives who nurtured me with love and confidence making God concrete in my life and for that I owe so much the entire Filipino people and in essence to the world as a whole. What better place to do all these but in Mindanao.
You just viewed my thoughts!

Mr. Human Rights Progresses to Third

2007-07-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Honorable Councilor Orlando Migriño Maglinao, better known as Mr. Human Rights being the well-worked chairman of the Committee on Political, Civil and Human Rights of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Iligan, makes it to top three during the recently completed May 2007 elections for his third term. The councilor is the only incumbent city public official whose number of votes significantly increased.

The good reputation of the councilor was augmented by his project during his second term of office. He made to materialize the mandate of the law that the Commission on Human Rights must establish a Barangay Human Rights Action Centers (BHRAC for brevity). With the triumberate of the Commission on Human Rights Office, both national and local, the city councilor visited almost all the barangays of the city and established the BHRAC. Also he initiated the selection and appointment of BHRAC officers in all the 44 barangays of the city. The Councilor now, being the reelected Sangguniang Panlungsod member aims to deepen the BHRAC training to the purok level. He said to an interview of one the Sangyaw Mindanaw correspondent that he will continue this project with the plan of involving several mass based Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and hence extends the same to all peace keeping forces in the city through conduct of the trainings and seminars.

Further, the councilor desires to chair the committee on Special Planning on Community Development to establish Special Eco-zones in Iligan City, which is one of the priority projects of Honorable Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz. Accordingly, the primary purpose of its establishment is to eradicate poverty among the Iliganons through providing more jobs.

Iligan SP Members Assume Posts

2007-07-08T08:02:00.001-07:00

Vice Mayor and ten members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod assumed office after they took their oath last June 30, 2007 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning, held in Anahaw Amphi Theater, Buhanginan Hills, Iligan City.

Among the ten members of the said council, six are incumbent officials. Vice Mayor Dy, who is also incumbent, will be again presiding the city council. They are now preparing their respective legislative agenda to bring progress to the city.

The members of the sangguniang panglungsod are: Vice-Mayor Henry C. Dy, Hon. Providencio Abragan, Hon. Chonilo Ruiz, Hon. Orlando Maglinao, Hon. Moises Dalisay, Hon. Ariel Anghay, Hon. Alfredo Busico, Hon. Voltaire Rovira, Hon. Bayani Areola, Hon. Jose Zalsos, and Hon. Simplicio Larrazabal. The city councilors are mentioned according to their rank from the recently concluded May 2007 Elections. Also part of the city council are the Association of Barangay Council President, Bernard Pacaña and Federated Sangguniang Kabataan President Hannah Quijano whose term will expire this coming October 2007 should there be a barangay elections.

From among the ten newly elected city councilors, four are serving their third and last term and they are: Hon. Abragan, Hon. Ruiz, Hon. Maglinao and Hon. Busico. Also, two are second termers: Hon. Dalisay and Hon. Rovira. Hon. Anghay is serving his second term, however it is not consecutive as he was elected as city councilor last 2001 election but failed to be reelected last 2004 election. The remaining three are rookie councilors.

Kiko Takes Oath of Office

2007-07-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

Kiko Takes Oath of Office

Mayor Lawrence “KIKO” Lluch Cruz took oath of office last June 30, 2007 at the Anahaw Amphi Theater, Buhanginan Hill, Pala-o, Iligan City at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. The said event was inducted by the Regional Trial Court Executive Judge of the city, Hon. Valerio Salazar.

It is now the second term of the mayor. He was elected mayor in the 2004 election as a contender of the former mayor and won with a great number of votes almost the same with the last 2007 elections.

The two termer mayor was born on January 30, 1965 and married to Ms. Gina Sue Hilda Macapayag Cruz with 3 children, namely: Erika Rae, Lawrence Angelo, and Almita Renee.
The priority project of the mayor is the improvement of the water system of the city with a view that the areas that are still suffering from on and off water, or worse no water at all, will be provided with adequate water supply. It was even the subject of the political issues set against the mayor during the last election. In fact, one of the barangays experiencing the same water crisis in the city is Barangay Pala-o. And it is quite ironic that this barangay, which is a residence of several government officials and even the seat where city hall is located, is still facing said water problem. But the best of it all is that our mayor who has earned the trust and confidence, thus, the mandate of the people has been sensitive of this. The people of Iligan have recognized that in his first term of office he has done about it and that for this second term, he is embarking that this water project will finally resolve our water problem.
To realize the said water programs, the city government has loaned millions of pesos to improve its water system. Aside from the water system, the mayor is also welcoming investors in Iligan City and such invitation has been flourishing as we have seen several business establishments now built in the city, i.e. the present construction of Gaisano Mall, and that the Lim Ket Kai is purportedly forth coming. To bring to fruition the same objective, the mayor endeavors to create special eco-zones in the city. With this, we will be expecting more investors for this second term of office and the hopes to eradicate poverty through available jobs for the Iliganons will be potential.