Sangguniang  Bayan

HON. ROBERT B. MAROMA

Municipal Mayor

“Honorable Members of this August Body; my predecessor, Mayor Ramon C. Yee; department heads of this Municipal Government: good afternoon.

“Upon your invitation, I have come to propose certain concerns and issues needed by the people of our town as I have seen which can be a common agenda and need legislative action. I have come here as a partner in governance, given a mandate by the people to serve them and expecting a better way of life.

“Our sworn duty to serve the people has to be formed in close coordination, understanding and good faith with each other.

“The executive cannot just make important decisions alone. We were chosen to different functions, according to the structure of the government, whereby policy-making is lodged in the legislative and executive or administrative in the Local Chief Executive.

“The success of the programs is therefore based on two factor, first, is the legislation that provides legal basis for the actions of the Local Chief Executive, and second, implementation of the adopted policy and legislation.

“These intertwined roles of the Sanggunian and the Local Chief Executive underscore the urgent need for a strong coordination, consultation, and collaboration, so that the Local Government Unit can function well and effectively. It is for this reason, that the Local Chief Executive and the Sangguniang Bayan Members should come together at the very start of our term of office and jointly prepare the Executive – Legislative Agenda that will secure as road map for formulating policies and laws which are responsive to the needs and aspiration of the people.

“As soon as possible, we will organize the Executive-Legislative Agenda Committee, which will identify the most pressing needs of our people. It will be headed by the Local Chief Executive as Chairman and the Vice Mayor as Co-Chairman. We will select members from you, including our planning officer, department heads and the private sector.

“The needs of the people are many, but the committee shall synthesize those needs, evaluates whether there is a need for legislation or just implementation, or referral to proper government agencies, if not within our competence or jurisdiction.

“I have certain proposals in the list, to be submitted to the ELA Committee. These are not complete, but they are concerns of the people as I have seen:

1.      Farm to Market Roads: probably because of shortage or breakdown of some of our equipment. Some of our Barangay Roads and farm to market roads need improvement, rehabilitation and even to be expanded. Certainly, we see the necessity of these roads for the convenience of the farmers and at the same time, it is an opportunity for the commercial establishments to put-up their business along these roads. Thus, adding taxes to the municipal coffers that can be a source of our additional projects.

2.      Poverty alleviation, through NGO, Cooperatives and People’s Organizations. Poverty can be reduced by giving or adding purchasing power to the people to meet their basic needs. One of these is through the efforts of the cooperatives, NGO’s and People’s Organizations to conduct its own business whereby livelihood programs are initiated and managed by them.

3.      Potable Drinking Water. Our campaign was dome during summer time and we have seen several barangays without potable drinking water from adjacent barangays. That problem is common during summer, and we will look into that problem.

4.      Business Investments. Opportunity is there because of the airport. The access road is there, whereby business can be put-up. It is near the airport, it is easy to transport from plants or warehouses that can be located there and to be transported by plane. We have to invite people from the business or commercial side. We are planning to have a forum. We will invite businessmen from Iloilo to come here and seek advise and pointers on how to make Cabatuan saleable as an investment site. We are also planning to gather outstanding Cabatuananons in various aspects and fields to advise us on the investments and in other areas for the good and development of our town.

5.      Education:  The existing program on education is very laudable and we have to continue that. And if possible, extend the present free school supplies up to grade VI. If our funds would permit, we will see to it that nobody in the barangay will fail to finish primary education, if possible all children from the barangay should finish primary grade.

6.      Health: This is another aspect where the present program has to be continued. This is the award winning program of the previous administration that we have to continue. And if requested by the Health Office, we will augment, even expand and support further the needs of this department.

7.      Social Services. As with Health Programs, to continue the Social Services Program.

8.      Environmental Protection: There might be a need for additional or more nurseries to be put-up in the barangay whereby fruit trees should be readily available when needed by the people, aside from the common mahogany and gemelina trees. We should have more seedlings in the barangay.

“All of these will be difficult to attain if there is no Peace and Unity.

9.      Peace and Unity: it is important for the investors to come for the people to invest and for the happiness of the people that there should be peace and order in the municipality.

“At the very heart of development are the people, who are both the ultimate beneficiaries and agents of development.

So, these are what we have seen at the moment. These are our initial proposals. We might add more as days go on, and as we are organizing the ELA Committee of our municipality.

“And so, however Honorable Member of this August Body, let us start working along this line.

“Our ultimate purpose is to make the people of Cabatuan healthier, happier so that they can meet the basic needs of their daily lives.

“Thank you for this opportunity. Again, good afternoon to everyone.”