ASIDE from thanking City Hall’s bureaucracy, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno also voiced his gratitude to his political allies for standing behind his administration’s programs.
“We’ve seen how difficult it was how during my first term of office. Nothing was approved (by the dominant political opposition then) except the Christmas bonus which they benefitted from. No budget was approved, no authority was given (by the former opposition-dominated City Council), and there was only total and absolute obstructionism,” Moreno said in his State of the City Address.
During yesterday morning’s address — his last before stepping down from office on June 30 — Mayor Moreno said the still painful recalling those difficult times which compelled him to seek political allies that shared his development vision for the city.
“Regardless which side they were, it was clear that City Hall must not be polarized due to hatred caused by political obstructionism,” Moreno said.
While recounting his efforts to persuade then Barangay Kagawad Raineir Joaquin ‘Kikang’ Uy and others to join his side, Moreno also reflected on how their eventual joining of forces benefitted the city.
“We are what we are today because of teamwork and harmony. And it’s my prayer that these will be sustained,” Moreno said.
The deep division caused by political differences both in City Hall and the city should not be left unaddressed, Moreno said.
“The division caused by the local and national election results is expected. It cannot be avoided and the elections should be sustained in every democracy regardless of how painful the results may be if only to uphold the will of the majority,” Moreno said.
“(Upholding the election process can be compared to) receiving an injection. It may be painful but the medicine administered will cure the patient. Our democracy is strengthened…from the barangays to City Hall, the city’s success is the success of the people of Cagayan de Oro. And we achieved this and will sustain this through teamwork and harmony,” Moreno said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)
