Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez: Enjoining Silaynons for a new era of development

March 27, 2022 by No Comments

“NEVER have all the world’s leaders been challenged with a crisis worse than war. This is the third year that we are engulfed in an almost conceding battle, which requires the best of all our abilities, resources and fervor. We are facing a very hostile threat that we have to confront with all the means and prayers we can muster, and it is not yet over.”These were the first words uttered by Silay City Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez as he began delivering his city address dubbed “The Mayor’s Report 2022” at the well-attended Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center in the city on Wednesday, March 23.“The tragedy that has befallen upon us, clarifies the mission and purpose of our roles both as public servants, and as Christians,” the chief executive said, as he recalled the challenges and damaging impact by the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic “which fueled our desire to be more creative, innovative and motivational, in our approach to do business, trade and commerce, in order to survive.”Golez took pride that the city was one of the first to emerge in the forefront of quick response and immediately addressed the threat of the pandemic. Validating this was the feat it received from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental — the 2021 Outstanding Covid-19 Local Government Unit Response Team.He recalled that during the past two years and up to this day, much of their efforts are mainly focused in controlling the spread of the Covid-19 virus and its mutating variants.All departments of the city have concentrated and aligned their targets, in contributing to the efforts of the national government, to provide relief and proper intervention to all those directly and indirectly affected.One of the ongoing programs of his office is the continuous distribution of rise assistance, canned goods, and food packs, to individuals and households who are under quarantine.“Our humble efforts were rewarded last year, by having garnered six excell awards and our city placed runner-up in the Excellence in Local Governance Awards, of which only two cities in Negros were conferred upon, by the Department of the Interior and Local Government,” he reported.Among the other awards that the city was able to receive, were the 2021 Good Financial Housekeeping citation from DILG – Western Visayas, Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Award and Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award.The mayor, in his report, also underscored the city’s remarkable accomplishments on Covid-19 vaccination drive, improved health facilities and services, strengthened advocacy for effective and efficient emergency-responsive communities, continuous distribution of social services to various sectors, stronger peace and security programs, better livelihood program and food security efforts, among others.Golez also outlined his administration’s sustainable projects and programs to improve the city’s agriculture and fishery sector, business climate, and infrastructure response and development plan, protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources, and tourism.In February this year, the local government broke ground for the construction of city’s new government center dubbed “Silay City Capitol” that will soon rise on a six-hectare property at Hacienda Maquina in Barangay Rizal with a proposed budget of about P1 billion.“Soon, we will witness the completion of our silay city capitol. This landmark shall serve as a symbol of hope and assurance for all silaynons, that your government does not only take pride that we have done well in serving you in the past, but of a commitment to offer you the best of what we can do today and in the future,” Golez said.“Let me take this opportunity to extend to you my sincere appreciation and gratitude, for the many years you have entrusted to me and in my care, our beloved city,” the mayor said in his speech, as he assured commitment that “Silay will always be better than it was before.”Aside from his family and fellow government officials, employees and partner-agencies, also specially mentioned the “brave, dedicated and committed front liners who have risked their lives for our fellow silaynons, during the two years of the pandemic that we all hope to end soon.”Golez said their vision statement is for silay to be “a prosperous and resilient city, proud of its culture and heritage, where silaynon families enjoy excellent social services and live in a peaceful community and sustainable environment.”As he reiterated his call for all Silaynons to bond together, he urged them to brand themselves as catalysts of growth with a sincere conviction to focus on the development of the city.“We all envision our City of Silay today as a potential breakthrough for a stable and progressive economic landscape. Let this not be just a dream, but a reality, a real chance for all to gain the much-needed evolution, to advance and be ready for a new era of development where we can live in harmony, peace, and in god and in each other’s loving embrace,” the mayor noted.Meanwhile, witnessing “The Mayor’s Report 2022” were the family of Golez including his wife, Anne, parents, Tess and Jimmy Golez, members of the city council, department heads, government workers, friends and guests including Third District Congressman Francisco Benitez.*

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