By Lou Ellen L. Antonio
ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Mayor Frederick Siao delivered a comprehensive State of Iligan City Address (SOICA), showcasing the city government’s achievements and commitment to good governance, economic development, social services, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure improvements.
Siao highlighted the city’s first-ever recognition as a National Awardee by the Anti-Red Tape Authority for the Ease of Doing Business and the efficient release of business permits. The city also ranked 21st in economic dynamism, 16th in innovation, and 28th in government efficiency nationwide, securing its position as the 3rd Most Improved City in the Philippines.
Notably, the city government achieved a consistent 100% resolution rate on Citizens Complaint 8888 for the past two years. The city’s Seal of Good Local Governance rating also showed significant improvements across all ten performance indicators.
Moreover, the mayor reported on the successful implementation of the Special Intervention for Agricultural Operations program, which registered 11,550 farmers and fisherfolk in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The city distributed farm and fishery inputs to over 9,000 beneficiaries, facilitating production loans and grants totaling P1.8 million.
Iligan City also received the 2023 Most Improved Highly Urbanized City Award from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), placing 19th among highly urbanized cities in innovation. The night market has become a popular tourist destination that generated over P12 million in revenue.
In terms of social services, the city government expanded its health programs by increasing the number of doctors and nurses and enhancing the health delivery system. The City Health Office achieved recognition as the top performer in Northern Mindanao for the National Tuberculosis Program and received a Bronze Award for its efforts in reducing stunting among children.
Siao also highlighted the city’s achievements in housing, with the “Friends Working Together for Shelter” program benefiting 100 indigent families. The city also received awards at the 5th Philippine Young Leaders’ Convergence, including the Most Distinguished Local Youth Development Office Award.
The mayor discussed the city’s new environmental initiatives, including the acquisition of a thermal decomposition machine that diverts up to five tons of residual waste daily. Additionally, a new biocomposter and bioshredder have been deployed, diverting 600 kilos of biodegradable waste from the public market. The city’s mangrove plantation area also expanded by 15 hectares, exceeding the initial target.
In infrastructure development, the mayor reported the completion of 56 approved projects from the 20 percent Development Fund, including barangay gymnasiums, health centers, and roads. The city government constructed 4,626.2 linear meters of roads with side drainage and completed a total of 15,367.8 linear meters of dredging and declogging projects. The total cost of implemented projects for the year reached P815.6 million.
Siao expressed gratitude to national government partners, civil society organizations, the academe, the business community, international partners, and all staff of the city government for their dedication and support in the city’s progress.
“We have done our best, and together, we can make our best even better. Let us hold onto this newfound hope and trust that we can restore the old glory of lligan City. Your trust inspires us to continue serving you with dedication and passion. The best is yet to come for lligan City,” he said.
With these developments, residents expressed their appreciation. Anita Santiago from Brgy. Abuno praised the city government’s numerous projects and efficient management of city hall operations.
“Daghan kaayo siya’g nabuhat sa iyang administrasyon karon, daghan kaayo siya’g nahimo karon nga mga project, iyang mga programa, mga patakaran ug padagan halimbawa sa mga dagan sa city hall, insitrikto lahi na karon, kung naa ka tuyo sa city hall atubangaon,” she said.
(He has accomplished a lot in his current administration; he has completed many projects. His programs and policies, particularly those for managing city hall operations, are much more efficient now. If you have needs to be processed at city hall, you will be attended to immediately.)
Meanwhile, Jinefer Juario from Barangay Suarez commended the mayor for his kindness and support, especially towards sidewalk vendors.
“Pagkabuotan jud ni mayor, number one jud sa mga kabos, matinabangon labaw na sa sidewalk vendors daghan iyang gitabang, kami giplastar pud niya,” he said.
(The mayor is truly kind and the best at helping the poor, especially the sidewalk vendors—he has helped many of us and even provided us with a place to sell.)
Moreover, Siao was recognized as the Top 1 Performing City Mayor in Region 10, with an 89.7 percent rating in the recent Northern Mindanao Region Mayor’s Survey “Boses ng Bayan” Job Performance Rating for Quarter 2, conducted from July 1-10. This independent survey, conducted by the RPMD Foundation Inc., provided a comprehensive evaluation of city mayors’ performance across various governance parameters. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
