TACLOBAN CITY– “We are lucky to have a President who says what he means and means what he says… a President who will not let politics stand in the way to help his constituents,” so said Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, during the turnover over ceremony of Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) Projects on Thursday morning, December 15.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno and Mayor Romualdez led in the inauguration of the newly- built Tacloban City Court Building and ceremonial turnover of completed RAY projects in the City.
The P28 million building will house the two branches of the City Court and the City Civil Registrar’s Office.
In his message during the ceremony, Secretary Sueno expressed his amazement over the fast recovery of Tacloban three years after supertyphoon “Yolanda” and his admiration for the resilience of Taclobanons.
He also committed that the DILG is willing to help in anyway the local government and assured its fast implementation.
“The President loves the people of Tacloban and wants to expedite all government transactions… he abhors red tape and is passionate about his campaign to eradicate drugs and corruption in government,” added Sueno.
Three years ago, then Mayor Duterte was the first government official to send aid to the City after it was battered by typhoon Yolanda, bringing in needed medical and food supplies, among others.
Meanwhile, Mayor Romualdez expressed her gratitude to the national government for the projects and lauded the DILG for its mandate to strengthen the capability of local government unit.
“Taclobanons are fortunate to have been beneficiaries of infrastructure and livelihood assistance from the DILG… [and the project] is a testament of our desire to build back better and resilient,” the city mayor said.
Also present during the inauguration was DILG Regional Director Marivel Sacendillo, City Director Darwin Bibar and representatives of other government agencies.
RAY funded projects in Tacloban totalled more than P230 million and included the rehabilitation and construction of important public structures like public market, astrodome and other barangay infrastructures.
RAY Phases I and II projects have already been completed in the city. (HENRY JAMES G.ROCA/PHOTOS: MARIO PAPURAN/CIO)
