Transparency saved P57 million for Malaybalay City, thanks to live bidding sessions - Mayor

MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/22 March 2023)

Transparency saved P57 million for Malaybalay City, thanks to the live broadcast of bidding sessions in the City Government, Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran said.

Mayor Pabillaran said the city generated total savings of P57 million of its coffers due to the conduct of live online bidding sessions of the Bids and Awards Committee. He attributed the savings to “this initiative for competitive bidding”.

”Transparency in the delivery of public service has been my utmost thrust. Everyday I commit myself to giving everyone a fair share of their taxes, he said in his State of the City Address during the 25th Charter Day Celebration Program on March 22, 2023 at the Folk Arts Theatre.

Mayor Pabillaran highlighted the accomplishments so far in his administration’s SHIELD flagship programs and reported the savings under “Integrity in governance and public service”.

In his inaugural speech in June 2022, he presented his six-point governance agenda dubbed “S.H.I.E.L.D.” or Kalasag in Binukid, where each letter represents the thrusts of his administration: Safety, Health, Integrity in governance, Environment, Leading to agricultural eco-tourism, Development in infrastructure. Then vice mayor Pabillaran served as mayor from March 2022, when he assumed the post by succession, following the death of Mayor Florencio T. Flores Jr. He won the mayoralty race in May 2022.

The savings, he said, will be retained in the city coffers for public purposes.

He noted that his first directive was to require the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to broaden and intensify the reach of eligible bidders in Malaybalay. All bidding sessions are now broadcast live via social media, he added.

”I firmly believe that transparency deters corruption. For corruption weakens the rule of law and erodes the confidence of our people in our government,” he added.

He called for cooperation in boosting the faith and wisdom of the people in governance and public service.

He noted also that through a concerted effort of different offices and divisions, the city increased its Consolidated Gross Local Income to P221 million in 2022. He noted this as "the highest" so far for the city.

He also cited that the practice of transparent, accountable, and timely financial reports resulted in the award by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping.

In 2022, Malaybalay City was one of eight cities in Northern Mindanao, which passed the evaluation for the seal. The City of Valencia also passed. In Bukidnon, 15 of the 20 towns also passed.

He noted that the year-round one-stop shop business registration also increased the number of establishments, which registered thereby stirring economic activities after the pandemic.

He also noted an innovation in the assessment process of the City Assessor's Office resulted in P55 million worth of real property tax in 2022.

The mayor also noted the appropriation of a total of P651 million for 253 infrastructure projects of the city government in 2022. He said the projects include buildings, roads, bridges, water systems, flood control, electrification, and other structures.

The mayor cited “concerted efforts” and ran through the specific accomplishments of each office or division in the city government, mentioning the names of most office heads as he delivered his address. He recognized the roles of the City Council, the city offices and departments, the barangay officials, and the citizens. He also recognized the role and support provided by the provincial government and the national government, also citing in particular the office of the 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores.

He also thanked the city council for the live broadcast of the sessions of the City Council and urged to build on the spirit of unity based on commonalities.

”We may have different approaches but our priorities do not need to contradict,” he added.

Malaybalay City became a component city of the Province of Bukidnon through Republic Act No. 8490. It was Republic Act No. 8813 that declared March 22, as the Charter Day of the city.

The City Government recognized the role of former Malaybalay Mayor and congressman Atty. Reginaldo N. Tilanduca, who authored the conversion to cityhood of Malaybalay. The city government awarded a plaque in his honor during the 25th Charter Day celebration. Ms. Aida T. Solis, a sister of the late official, accepted the recognition.(Contributed to BukidnonNews.Net by Walter I. Balane)