THE kettle has been heated and there is no denying there is a tempest in a teapot.
In his inaugural speech last Sunday, incoming Mayor Klarex Uy acknowledged the accomplishments of Mayor Oca Moreno and indicated he would continue these. He then announced what could be bold economic initiatives like tax incentives to those who file early, the promise of no new and increased local taxes, and the condonation of tax penalties. He said he would also condone lease payment delinquencies of public market stallholders. For the public transport sector, the incoming mayor promised to ease the strong regulatory operations of the Roads and Traffic Administration which burdens drivers and operators of public conveyances with stiff penalties. He also plans to increase from 7,000 to 8,500 the city scholars in the next school year.
The message of the incoming mayor from the rejuvenated amphitheater at Divisoria is economic recovery. He wanted the business sector to start with a clean slate. Cheers for this, Mayor K.
Over at the City Hall, the local bureaucracy gave a fitting send-off to Mayor Oca Moreno in what would be his last flag ceremony as head of the city last Monday. Testimonies were made in the event capped by the launching of the book on Mayor Oca’s legacy entitled: Oscar Serina Moreno Transforming Governance.
Mayor Oca was emotional in his response - crying actually, not just teary-eyed as he looked at the City Hall building laden with thank you streamers. Something he wanted to bring home at the show to his grandkids. The tears he said were of gratitude and inspiration. His last two orders to the bureaucracy are to continue and endure the journey of good governance and unconditional support to Mayor Klarex whom he wished to continue his health, education, and housing program.
The mayor said it is important to sustain the city’s implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law as the city is the pilot of its implementation. “If you talk of Universal Care pilot area, there is no other city, only Cagayan de Oro,” said Mayor Oca who also shared with the assessment of the Dept, of Health that he would leave the City Hall with 75 percent implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law.
He acknowledge kinks, hate, and intrigues in the air, but dismissed them as pains of transition.
After the formal inaugural address of Mayor K last Sunday, City Hall department heads came up the stage for picture taking with the incoming mayor. But before the posterity, he huddled the heads of the local bureaucracy, thanking them for their presence, especially those whose positions are co-terminus with Mayor Oca. The teary-eyed and grateful incoming mayor told the department heads to ignore the intrigues. It would eventually die down, he said, as that is what happens to any intrigue, he assured the department heads.
The actual turnover would be noontime of June 30. Many are looking forward to seeing the two gentlemen, who are political allies for the last 12 years, four elections, meet as Mayor Oca moves out and Mayor Klarex moves into the Mayor’s Office.
Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy my coffee.
