ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco said the nine years of her administration put in good use the “people’s money” that resulted in a progressive Zamboanga with a vibrant economy – a legacy she will leave behind when she steps down after serving three consecutive terms.
Climaco said under her administration, the local government invested a “historic” amount of over P2.3 billion for the security and safety of Zamboanga and its people which was more than 200% higher - in terms of appropriations on the city’s peace and order program - compared to the nine years of the previous Lobregat administration.
During Lobregat’s time, much of the government money was just deposited in banks instead of using them for various projects. Lobregat defended his decision to deposit the money in banks, calling it “good financial management.”
She said her administration practised and engaged the community - Christians, Muslims and indigenous people - who contributed to the safety of Zamboanga. Human security, according to Climaco, is her priority not just for a safer and crime-free Zamboanga, but the local government envisions a city enjoying economic growth and opportunities for all people to embrace.
“Today, crime volume has smashed one record after another, as it goes down every year in significant percentages because we never let our guards down. We achieved zero bombings, zero kidnappings and zero piracy which was never before done by the past administrations,” she said, acknowledging the strong support of the police and military and other law enforcement agencies.
“With all our development work, the infrastructure projects we have poured in and our enhanced peace and order situation – we have seen an influx of businesses and investors coming to Zamboanga the last nine years and creating an unprecedented increase of jobs and livelihood opportunities for our people. Mucho trabaho por causa que manada maga negocio el ya abri aki na de atun ciudad,” the mayor said, citing local economic data showing an exponential business growth under her incumbency.
“Our economy has grown exponentially from 8,397 registered businesses in 2013 to more than 12,000 businesses in 2021 and we are projecting more growth this year and the years to come. Zamboangueños now enjoy a wide range of options from local, national and international brands. Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen an avalanche of new restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and other establishments sprouting up all over the city,” she added.
Climaco said the KCC Mall de Zamboanga, the biggest in Mindanao; the CityMall Tetuan and SM-Mindpro opened under her administration. CityMall is constructing another branch in Barangay Guiwan and SM Zamboanga is also opening a bigger mall in Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue. All these businesses, she said, only show the confidence the investors have in Zamboanga under her administration.
She said the improved peace and order situation and the volume of infrastructure projects she has accomplished - compared to the past Lobregat administration - attracted not only investors, but the attention of the national government and the many awards Zamboanga reaped.
“It is during our administration that we opened KCC Mall de Zamboanga and even after the (MNLF) siege (of 2013). CityMall in Tetuan also started operating and is now constructing another branch in Guiwan. The first SM branch in Zamboanga Peninsula also opened under our term. The SM Mindpro is now serving our people and the surrounding provinces in the (Zamboanga) Peninsula and BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi),” the mayor said.
“We are also excited to announce that soon to rise is another SM mall – the SM City Zamboanga along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue which is bigger than its current mall in La Purisima Street and the Filinvest Condominium - the first high rise residential project in the region. Indeed, through leaps and bounds, we have transformed Zamboanga City. Un Nuevo Vida na Ciudad de Zamboanga lleno de Esperanza, Seguridad y Prosperidad para na todo!” she added. (Zamboanga Post)
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