Tacloban city gov’t bares 2017 projects

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 30 (PNA) -- Tacloban's city government this year will focus on making its front-line services accessible to more residents, providing livelihood opportunities to relocated families, and developing Tacloban as a tourist attraction and favorite jump-off point of tourists.

Preparing to roll up her sleeves for yet another busy year for the city government, Mayor Cristina Romualdez bared her proposed projects, which are centered on her vision of a clean, green, and resilient Tacloban.

According to the local chief executive, the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program (CLEP) is moving north this year to make available free livelihood training to resettled communities. Dubbed as the mobile CLEP, Romualdez's pet project will conduct mobile classes for eight courses in different resettlement sites to complement other livelihood projects being coordinated by the local government with the Department of Trade and Industry and other government agencies.

In the summer months, front-line services will be more accessible as the city plans to hold weekly services to the different city villages, which will include free circumcision.

A feeding program is also being readied for a selected public school in San Jose and one in the north for indigent children, after the city government received reports that some kids report to school on an empty stomach, according to the mayor.

The improvement of city-owned health facilities is also foremost among her concerns, she said, sharing plans of constructing more rooms at the City Hospital and the city health office to accommodate their growing clientele.

Other public facilities undergoing repair are the Tacloban City market and bus terminal. The public market will have new structures to provide convenience to market-goers; while the bus terminal is undergoing repair with funds from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The successful clean-up drive of the City–Limpyo Tacloban, Syudad Mahusay is getting a boost with additional street sweepers, while road center islands will have a makeover as a beautification plan is underway.

Talking about the city's eco-tourism potential, she said a Bay Walk Park will be developed at the Astrodome Grounds that would feature a Pasalubong Center and restaurants overlooking Cancabato Bay for locals and tourists to enjoy. A Yolanda Museum is likewise being planned as an added attraction.

Tacloban will also package itself as a favorite jump-off point to tourism sites across the region because of its vibrant hotel industry, she explained.

A night market is also being planned at the Balyuan area near the city hall to benefit micro-entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, as a solution to the city's flood woes, Romualdez said her administration will come up with a Comprehensive Drainage Plan with the DPWH.

The drainage plan, which will specifically target populated flood-prone areas, is expected to be implemented within the year.

Repair of traffic lights damaged by super typhoon Yolanda, stricter imposition of the truck ban and one-side parking, as well as a proposed ordinance on pay parking are being contemplated to reduce traffic congestion in main thoroughfares.

The installation of surveillance cameras in the downtown area is also being prioritized, while a host of programs, like the New Beginning –- the integrated community-based rehabilitation program of the city government for identified drug dependents -- will continue.(PNA)
CVL/SQM/CITY INFORMATION OFFICE-PR