AFTER recently garnering the highest honor awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government – The Seal of Good Local Governance and the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping – the city of Caloocan has been awarded anew this time, the 2015 Local Legislative Award.
Garnering second place in the highly- urbanized city category, the Caloocan City Council led by its presiding officer Vice Mayor Macario ‘Maca’ Asistio III, earned 94% rating from DILG evaluators.
Maria Lourdes Agustin, DILG- national capital region director, said city council was commendable for its orderly records and office management with its exemplary performance in legislative measures relevant to the city’s development.
For his part, Mayor Oscar ‘Oca’ Malapitan congratulated the council members saying “this award is a manifestation that the city government is truly responsive to the needs of the people, and is doing its best to improve the lives of its constituents.”
The Sanggunian members are Councilors Dale Gonzalo ‘Along’ Malapitan, Carmelo Africa, Dean Asistio, Aurora ‘Onet’ Henson, Jr., Marilou Nubla-San Buenaventura, Susana Punzalan, Karina Teh, Carolyn Cunanan, Milagros Mercado, Roberto ‘Obet’ Samson, Allen Aruelo, Chito Abel and Tolentino ‘Tino’ Bagus.
Extra-elated by the DILG award, the energetic vice mayor, though still young but already a veteran in local lawmaking as he has been more than two decades with the city council, says the recognition was just a manifestation of the unity of the entire city officials despite their political affiliations.
“Only in Caloocan that all of us have been working together as we all set aside our political affiliations to focus in providing the much-needed support and help to our constituents who deserve more efficient delivery of services,” Vice Mayor Asistio says.
RENEW PERMITS EARLY TO AVOID PENALTY – MAYOR JRT
Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco has urged local taxpayers not to wait for the final deadline to renew their business permits and licenses as the local government will not entertain any extension after the January 20 deadline.
“Better pay on time in order to avoid unnecessary penalties,” says the mayor as he directs the concerned local departments to make them available during Saturdays and Sundays of the month in order to accommodate the taxpayers. Earlier, the city chief executive disclosed that the city government had its revenue target this year by over P800-million as compared with the current P700M plus.
He has credited the dramatic increase to the efficient tax collection by the concerned local agencies and personnel and more investors that continue pour in huge investments in the city.
Meanwhile, the mayor also urged his constituents to support the city’s local products by visiting the Trade Fair, DTI ‘Diskwento’ Caravan and Marikina Shoe Caravan being held at the Navotas Amphitheater.
With more activities lined up by the local government to provide fun and benefits for the residents, Tiangco said the events were part of the celebration of the 110th Navotas Founding Anniversary. GOOD RIDDANCE/ARLIE CALALO
