DEARREADER VIVA NAGA 2007! To usher in more visitors and investors to Naga, An Maogmang Lugar. Viva Naga 2007 is a tourism and investment promotion campaign of the City Government aimed at attracting more visitors, investors, entrepreneurs and businessmen to come, visit and do business in Naga. "VIVA", Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said, "is Visit and Invest in Vibrant Naga abbreviated, followed by the year 2007 that high- lights the entire duration of the campaign." Rich in history and with deep socio-cultural background, Naga City exudes an ambience of both worlds---vibrant yet tranquil, dynamic yet historical, free yet ordered, and festive yet solemn. Thus, through the years, the city has grown economically not only by leaps and bounds but "hurdles and strides" with more and more professionals, services providers, skilled and business people settling in, oiling the economy, reinvigorating commerce and ultimately transforming the city's skyline from a once laidback countryside city to a forward-looking metropolis. Naga is a riverine city and its history is intertwined with the ripples, through time, of the storied Naga River. Hence, in the logo, one can find edifices that typify a progressive urban center near the Naga River, the sacred fluvial aisle where Bikol's unifying icon---Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia fondly called as INA---journeys every year. As elucidated by the City Mayor, the VIVA NAGA letters are etched with fig- ures that are distinctively Naga. The letter I is shaped to portray the individual Nagueños and their active participation to the local government's innovative programs such as the widely acclaimed i-Governance. The letter A stands proud as the iconic symbol for the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the central figure for the city's September celebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta. While the dotting hearts on the A's of the word Naga portrays the city as the long recognized center for education, religion and trade in Bikolandia. A yellow orange hue to red colored sphere adorns the background. These colorful tinges symbolize dynamism and vibran- cy of the city's local economy. The sphere signals new horizons inexorably dawning for the city with more opportunities and prospects emerging, thus, promising positive outlook for Naga's future.

MON BATURIANO, JR. Editor ANSEL MAÑO, Graphics Design 14th Graciano Lopez Jaena Journalism Fellow

The City Hall MATTERS is published by the BOB ROSIN, RANDY VILLAFLOR, Lensmen City Government of Naga through the City SONNY FABELLARE, Circulation Manager Development Information Office, Office of BHONG ALIMORONG, Circulation Assistant the City Mayor, under its "Transparency LADY LYN JUAT, Digital Encoding and Accountability towards Good Governance Program." Log on to our offi- Contributors: JOY FELIX-MACARAIG, MALU PALMARIA, GIGI ABONAL, LINDA BAI- cial website at www.naga.gov.ph or call LEY, IRMA VARGAS, BERT ACABADO, FRED ARIAS, BOB URSUA, JUN MONGOSO, (63+54)4732055 or write to CHM, City CHING TABINAS, DUNE PADRE Mayor’s Office, City Hall for your com- ments/suggestions and/or feedbacks. Editorial Consultants: NATHAN SERGIO, FRANK MENDOZA, JESSE M. ROBREDO S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y R E P O R T Doing More With Less “I would like to underscore that all the triumphs that we have achieved in all aspects of governance is certainly not the work of only one man.” CITY MAYOR One of Ten Most Competitive Cities in By Jesse M. Robredo Asia Because of our excellent performance In a world where everything seems to as a model local government unit and the be driven by one's financial capacity and impressive records we achieved during the one's achievement is prefaced by how past year, the Asian Institute of much capital he invests in, Naga, our city Management, along with other respected stands out. institutions, such as the USAID, and the We stand out not because we have the Asia Foundation adjudged Naga City as material resources or the wherewithal to one of the Most Competitive Small Cities Foreign Direct Investment Magazine David transform our dreams into reality. We East with the Mayor Jesse Robredo during his in the country for 2005. brief stint here to confer the award for Naga stand out because we have done more with We were honored for our economic City as the Most Cost-Effective City in Asia. less. And that is a feat that not just any local dynamism, participatory governance, government unit can do, especially in this accountability and effective initiatives on critical times where everything is turning information communication technology less; where everything seems not enough Best LGU Website Award 2005 that taken together contributed immeasur- Before the close of the year, on to make both ends meet. ably to the progressive transformation of Although this may sound like a refrain, December 28, 2005, Naga City for the sec- Naga as a competitive, investment-friendly ond straight time won the Best LGU I am proud to say that we are doing better city. every year. In fact, it is becoming a habit, Website Award, City Category, by the notwithstanding the limited resources that National Computer Center and the Asian we have and the obstacles that come our Most Cost-Effective City in Asia Institute of Journalism and The United Kingdom's Foreign Direct Communication. way. Investment Magazine of the Financial Judging by the visible signs of bubbling Times Group conferred on us the "Most economic activities obtaining and the con- CEO Excel Award 2005 Cost-Effective City in Asia" (Asian Cities On December 8, 2005, the International tinuing transformation of our city as the and regions of the Future 2005/2006) undisputed growth center in the Bicol Association of Business Communication award, recognizing our excellent practices (IABC) conferred on your city mayor the Region, the city once again outperformed in the utilization of public funds through its previous year's performance - despite CEO Excel Award 2005. our "doing more with less" policy of effi- Incidentally, I just came from Hanoi, the economic crisis obtaining and the lim- ciently delivering services to our people. ited budgetary support that we get from Vietnam as one of the speakers during the the higher echelons of the bureaucracy. APEC workshop on anti-corruption meas- On this note, I would like to underscore Best Practices Award for i-Governance ures for the development of SMEs. The In the middle of 2005, the United APEC meeting was participated in by 21 that all the triumphs that we have achieved Nations Human Settlements Programme in all aspects of governance - fiscal, social countries in the Asia-Pacific region. (UN-Habitat) and the Dubai International On such occasions, Naga City's experi- services, education, health, infrastructure Award for Best Practices in the Living and civil works, as well as tourism and ences on transparent governance and Environment, honored us, this time, for accountability and other innovative prac- environment - are certainly not the work of our innovative and trailblazing i- only one man. tices are once again put into focus for Governance Program. It was only a few replication by other LGUs worldwide. It is a product of our collective effort years ago that the same institutions cited with every stakeholder as key player. We us as having one of the best practices in Now, our detailed report card for 2005: may have divergent interests and views participatory governance. when looking for a solution but always end up with one common vision in mind: that Financial Operations The City of the city's general welfare. And I dare say Most Business-Friendly City in South Treasurer's Office in 2005 was able to col- Luzon lect P341,490,126 for General Fund as that the only limit to our achievements is Last November 2005 at the the limit we place on our dreams. against the target of P318,980,000, regis- Hotel, Naga City was cited as the Most tering a collection efficiency of 107.1%, a Our accomplishments of doing more Business Friendly City for South Luzon. with less are eloquently reflected in the fol- remarkable feat considering that the This was the 4th time that Naga was con- nation as a whole is reeling from financial lowing honors that were conferred on us ferred as a most business friendly city by during the past year: deficiencies and poor economic perform- the prestigious Philippine Chamber of ance. Commerce and Industry.

2 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 2 0 0S 5 T S A T T A E T O E F O T F H T E H C E I CT YI T R Y E R P E O P R O T R T

Aside from the collections due the Promotion efforts in 2005 focused on the The latest tourism arrival figures for General Fund, P30,307,419 for SEF was first two. Approximately P350 Million was Naga/ narrowed down to collected way above the target of invested in 3 commercial development about 15,000 the shortfall we have with P22,000,000, registering a collection effi- projects (Naga E-Mall, Avenue Square and traditional front-runner Legazpi/Albay, ciency of 137.8%, or a positive variance of Paseo de Caceres). The first-ever call center which used to be as high as 30,000 to 14.4% compared to pre-vious year's per- in Bicol established shop in the city during 40,000 visitors more in favor of Legazpi formance. the last quarter of the year. City/Albay before we took a serious look Due to a collection efficiency of 125%, Credit should be given to the effective at finding ambitious ways to boost our barangay share from real property taxes quarter-backing of the Naga City Investment city tourism program. It is estimated that increased from an estimated P8,085,000 to Board and the able support of the City of the total number of tourists that came P10,107,325 in actual collection. Planning & Development Office and the to the province, as much as 85% of them What makes this fiscal report even more City Engineer's Office. stayed in or chose Naga as their prime outstanding is the fact that we spent only destination and billeting hub. 16 centavos in administrative cost for every Employment & Livelihood While rela- These tourism intervention programs P1.00 collection made in favor of the city tively fewer recipients, totaling 1,123, were included our initiatives to invite national government. qualified for livelihood capitalization assis- and international civic groups, cultural Meanwhile, because of our transparent tance in 2005 compared to 1,572 beneficiar- bodies, and other private organizations, handling of finances and the effective elim- ies in 2004, the average loan amount was and LGUs to conduct their conferences, ination of wasteful practices in various however increased from P6,000 to P7,500 seminars, medical missions and study bureaucratic processes, prices of goods per individual. tours in Naga City with its array of mod- and supplies purchased have been sub- In local employment, the Metro Naga ern hotels and restaurants. Last year, we stantially reduced based on prices pur- Public Employment Service Office regis- hosted the highly successful 1st Bicol chased through transparent public bid- tered an 8% increase in the number of Business Week and the Gayon Bicol dings. It is almost always acknowledge that applicants assisted: from 3,628 in 2004 to Festival, and collaborated with the unit costs for our procurement are lowest 3,920 applicants in 2005. Of this number, Archdiocese of Caceres in the staging of among national and local government 2,513 or 64.1% of the applicants were suc- the Summer Peñafrancia Festival. This is agencies. cessfully placed for employment. not to mention the various other region- With more money in the city trea-surer's In overseas employment, 3,345 appli- al, district and provincial seminars and office insured to be expended with pru- cants were assisted in 2005, a marked conventions held in the city that signifi- dent fiscal management, more money was improvement of 77% over previous year's cantly contributed to the occupancy rates allocated for the other social and physical 1,893 applicants. Of the applicants assisted, of our hotels throughout the year. needs of the city. 458 were actually placed for employment In all of these, credit should be given to overseas in 2005, compared to only 103 in Agriculture The City Agriculturist Office our Treasurer, Accounting and Assessors 2004, or an improvement of 345%. has initiated the profiling of farmers in units. On training, there was a 5% increase in the agricultural barangays of the city to students employed (from 198 in 2004 to serve as benchmark information on farm Investments Total amount of invest- 208 in 2005 for Special Program for the practices, food production promotion, ments in 2005 hit the P1.63-Billion mark, employment of students); an 11% increase knowledge and skills capabilities, govern- surpassing our 2004 record of P886 in the number of graduating students who ment services and assistance, and post Million, or an impressive 84.9% improve- undertook career guidance seminar, from harvest facilities, among others. These ment over the previous year. The new 1,857 in 2004 to 2,066 in 2005. information are vital tools for planning investments would generate approximate- Notably, 180 students in City Hall assist- and decision-making and government ly 6,500 jobs. ed automotive mechanic course graduated intervention for industry and socio-eco- While registration of new building per- in 2005 compared to only 89 in 2004, or a nomic development. mits was down at 95 in 2005 from 118 in marked improvement of 102%. The number of recipients of cattle, 2004, investments covered by new build- carabaos and hogs under the city's animal ing permits for commercial, industrial and Tourism Through our aggressive inter- dispersal program was increased from institutional establishments actually vention, Camarines Sur with Naga City as 203 in 2004 to 259 in 2005, an increase of jumped to P643-Million compared to P430- major hub posted a total of 144,252 tourists 21%. The increase was realized through Million realized in 2004, or an increase of in 2005 compared to 135,599 in 2004, or an proper monitoring, inspection and insti- 49.5%. While there was slight increase in improvement of 6.38%, which is higher tutional development activities conduct- the number of new enterprises, from 1,010 than the regional average of 6%. ed by the city agriculturist office. The total in 2004 to only 1,013 in 2005, or a variance Of the total number of tourists for book value of the animals dispersed of 0.3%, the number of new subdivisions Naga/Camarines Sur, 4,266 accounted for reached P1,831,600. doubled, from 3 in 2004 to 6 in 2005. This foreign tourists. The numbers, collated by translates to over P819-million worth of the regional office of the Department of Public Market Through massive tax investments in new subdivisions as com- Tourism, are based on the registry books of campaign, intensive collection of market pared to last year's P64.7 Million. hotels, inns and lodging houses, resorts, rental, cash tickets goodwill fee, rental The city's priority investment sectors are and other DOT-accredited billeting estab- delinquencies and other miscellaneous in: (1) Commercial development (2) ICT- lishments, which excluded those visitors fees, the Market office was able to exceed enabled services (3) Tourism (4) Agro- that stayed in private homes or unregistered its collection target of P19,485,331 to industries homestay facilities. P23,612,178

3 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y R E P O R T

Other accomplishments include the set- For the remaining projects implement- -- Completion of Phase 1, Calauag ting up of Consumers Welfare Desk in col- ed by contract, our cost estimates are way Storm Drainage System laboration with DTI for immediate and below the accepted government standard. -- Earth filling and road concreting at quick assistance and protection of con- For instance, a kilometer of concreted road the Queborac Resettlement Area; sumers from unscrupulous traders and will cost us P 3.74 Million or 31.2% lower -- Level II and Level III water supply businessmen. This has resulted to the con- than the estimate of P 5.44 Million set by system in the resettlement sites, demnation of 303 unserviceable and defec- other government agencies. A two-room through the MNWD; and tive weighing scales from the different stalls school building will cost us P 0.64 Million -- Earth filling of Tinago resettlement at the city public market and at CBD I. or 28.1% less than the estimate of P 0.89 site. Million set by other government entities. Naga’s Economic Lifeblood Naga as The projects implemented by adminis- Social Welfare The Social one of Asia's pioneering cities has a built-in tration with a total cost of around P3 Development Center which serves as socio-economic potentials, its rich culture Million include the following: halfway house for abandoned and neg- and history, engaging educational facilities, -- 23 units repair of public school buildings lected children has temporarily housed a active informal sector and City Hall's front -- 5.1 kms. road asphalting total of 126 abandoned street children line services coupled with 100% reliable -- 8 units of Educare centers who were eventually returned to their power, water and other utilities are major -- 54 units of sports facilities families or referred to concerned agen- ingredients to transform the city as the Forty six (46) projects worth P 15.7 cies within and outside the city. regional center of trade and commerce. Million were bidded out covering various The special preventive program for the Trading as an economic mechanism is the drainage, road improvement and building Street and Urban Working Children dominant and central economic activity in construction projects. The Metro Naga (Sanggawadan) assisted 1,596 indigent the city. Coliseum was bidded out at a cost of P 52.8 school children who were provided with Naga City Public Market's financial con- Million. rice incentives, school supplies and free dition has improved in 2005 compared to basic entrance school fees. Total rice and the 2004 level raking in P4Million more in Land Tenure & Housing In collabora- school supplies assistance amounted to revenues (from the previous year's P23.6 tion with the National Housing Authority, P1,158,052 for 2005. It was noted that Million) from the market rentals, cash tick- the city's Urban Poor Affairs Office before children beneficiaries of this program ets, matanza, goodwill fee, administrative the close of the year spearheaded the achieved improved academic grades/rat- fines and other fees. groundbreaking of the proposed medium- ing after they were encouraged and moti- The P4Million revenue improvement can rise housing project - the first of its kind in vated to spend more of their time in the be attributed to the Market Office's dogged Bicol - with no less than Vice President Noli classrooms than they had been previously pursuit in revving up its collection efforts a de Castro as guest of honor and speaker. wasting in the streets. case in point of which is the goodwill fee On that same occasion, PHILSSA-COPE as Moreover, it should be noted that at which almost doubled to P1.25 Million in NGO partners formally turned over the least 220 beneficiaries of Sanggawadan 2005 from only P0.65 Million during the completed micro-drainage project worth successfully graduated in the elementary previous year. P14 Million, a day-care center and barangay level and 75 more in the secondary level materials recovery facility worth nearly a during the school-year 2004-2005. One of Abattoir For the 8th time over a period million pesos. these erstwhile street working children, of nine years, the Naga City Abattoir was It also turned over road concreting proj- Christine Mae Mariano, of Barangay chosen as the Best Class AA slaughterhouse ects at the Del Rosario Urban Poor Balatas even graduated salutatorian at in the region. Gross income for the year Resettlement Area in Baraga Del Rosario Don Manuel Abella Elementary School. 2005 amounted to P 8,283,828 or 14.5% and the Queborac Resettlement Area in In the aftermath of typhoons Unding higher than 2004. While it is important that Barangay Bagumbayan Sur at the cost of and Yoyong, the city's Social we realized revenues from the Abattoir's nearly P5 Million. Development Office distributed 584,725 operations, the primary consideration has nipa shingles and 1,151 pieces of GI always been the health and hygiene for our Other accomplishments include: sheets to some 10,655 families whose residents. The Task Force Hot Meat ensured -- Distribution of 812 lot awards in homes were either totally, heavily or par- compliance of NMIC regulations for slaugh- Queborac and tially damaged by the two typhoons. tering. -- Payment of P3,523,710 to acquired properties in Balatas. Health & Medical Services As in the Infrastructure In line with the city gov- -- Distribution of 30 titles to beneficiar past reporting period, the City Health ernment's desire maximize use of our in- ies in Metroville, with 125 more titles Office has sustained its mandate of pro- house capacity, the City Engineer's Office under process by the Registry of viding basic health assistance and disease mplemented a significant number of city's Deeds prevention among the constituents, par- infrastructure projects by administration. -- Implementation of Bayadnihan ticularly the poorer sectors of our com- As a result, more savings and more projects Program for 195 beneficiaries living munity. These services include maternal were implemented the city government. in the following settlement areas: and childcare, disease prevention, cancer Calauag, Del Rosario, Pacol, Sabang, control examinations, environmental san- and Concepcion Pequeña; itation, and the prevention and control of sexually transmitted disease. TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN 2005 HIT THE P 1.63-BILLION SURPASSING As against 7 deaths in the year 2003 THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S P 886 MILLION, THE 84.9% INCREASE WOULD and 1 death in 2004 due to rabies, there was no casualty in 2005. GENERATE APPROXIMATELY 6,500 JOBS

4 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y R E P O R T

Dengue cases declined from 331 in 2004 to Population & Nutrition Services Our Clean Air initiatives have succeed- 54 cases in 2005. This was essentially due The National Nutrition Council in 2005 ed improving air quality in the city. to the effective IEC campaign and surveil- honored anew the city government, Average TSP reading in the last three lance initiative done year-round. through its City Nutrition and Population years improved from 110.65 ug/NCM in The Medical Division of the City Health Office, for maintaining the Nutrition Honor 2003 to 83.04 ug/NCM in 2005 --- from a Office served 22,468 patients, who were all Award for 6 consecutive years. With the grade of Fair to Good. The most recent provided with free medicines. In January city's already low malnutrition rate of 5.6% reading undertaken this January, 2006 2005, The PMA of Chicago and Washington which is the already lowest in Bicol in 2004, revealed a TSP of 80.6 ug/NCM. D.C. rendered free medical services to we further squeezed this down to 4.9% in For the three (3) quarters of 2005, the 4,900 out-patients and did surgical opera- 2005, a figure hardly matched by any other water sampling analysis in Naga River tions for 198 patients. The medical mission LGU in the country. Nutri-Nanay and Nutri- revealed that it had met the standard for was successful because of the unqualified Ataman, projects supported by the Rotary "Class C". This means that it could be use support of the Camarines Medical Society, Club of Naga East, have significantly con- for irrigation and navigation purposes. the Bicol Medical Center and the Ago tributed in reducing cases of severe malnu- Although in 2004, Naga River also was Foundation Hospital. trition in the city to almost nil. categorized as "Class C", the recent sam- Immunization efforts, however, suffered The city's annual population growth rate plings reveal that water quality improved a minor setback in terms of patients cov- over the last five years has been maintained last year when compared to 2004. ered because of hesitance and non-cooper- at 1.65%. The contraceptive prevalence rate The number of patrons and visitors to ation by prospective patients, despite full increased from 57.75% in 2004 to 58.27% in our Eco-Park has increased significantly information dissemination campaign exert- 2005. We are making headway with our Go over the years. Moreover, additional facil- ed by the City Health Office personnel, Natural Program in promoting natural fami- ities and theme gardens have been put particularly midwives. While immunization ly planning for responsible parenthood in up. This simply affirms the wisdom of let- used to register 100-plus percent accom- the city. ting the Isarog Garden Society manage plishment in the barangays, this fell down the facility. in 2005 to an average of 84%, 83%, 93%, Veterinary Services Due to the height- To maintain cleanliness, the City ENRO 97%, and 97% for Diphtheria Pertusis ened campaign of the City Veterinary Office has deployed its Fleet Clearing Group Tetanus (DPT), Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), to keep dogs out of the streets, dog bite which hauls almost 7.2 tons of yard Anti-Tuberculosis (BCG), Measles, and incidence was reduced to 979 in 2005 from waste/green waste daily and for the desig- Fully Immunized Children (FIC), respec- 1,569 incidents in 2004. It also conducted a nated eleven sweeping areas in the city, tively. house-to-house anti-rabies vaccination of some 21 streetsweepers make the rounds The Dental Section achieved 117% of its some 7,401dogs and cats around the city. cleaning 100kgs. of swept garbage along target for tooth extraction. School children Moreover, some 1,183 stray dogs were the way. City ENRO's grasscutting servic- who were provided with curative dental impounded. es also make the rounds in the different treatment reached 106% accomplishment. public schools, barangay parks and thor- Pregnant women given preventive dental Environment As frontliner in the city's oughfares within the city and the center treatment reached 133% accomplishment environment protection and cleanliness islands as well along Magsaysay, of its target. A 122.4% accomplishment was campaign, the City Environment and Panganiban, Tabuco and Gen. Luna Sts. also recorded for other adults provided Natural Resources Office has consistently The City ENRO spearheaded with the with curative dental treatment. sustained its title as 3-time Saringaya and 3- assistance of local volunteer organiza- At the Naga City Hospital, a total num- time Gawad Pangulo awardee. It also acts as tions the tree planting of 1,500 species ber of 42,118 patients, or an average of 169 the main implementing arm in carrying out along the Almeda Highway and 105 more patients a day were served in 2005. Of this the city's tasks as pilot city of the along Almeda Road in San Felipe. number, 40,804 were ER and Out-Patients International Council for Local who were duly attended. In-Patients admit- Environment Initiatives' (ICLEI) Climate ted and discharged reached 1,314 during Action program. Together with the San the year. The services rendered include the Miguel Group of Companies, it has dispensing of medicines, Consultations, launched Project SPARE to revive a tributary Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Minor of the Bicol River that covers four (4) Surgery, and New Born, Dressing, and barangays. Medico-Legal. The city has taken over operation of the The Naga City Hospital during the year Balatas MRF, probably the most advanced just passed, increased patients' availment facility in this part of the country. It has of diagnostic services which include labo- expanded capacity to handle 70 tons of ratory examinations for blood chemistry, garbage a day, working on a three-shift drug tests, CBC, urinalysis, blood bank, operation. The city government is projected and X-Ray examinations. It also sustained to generate incremental earnings of around its Diabetes Clinic held every Friday and P 6.0 Million a year as a result the takeover. Hypertension Clinic held every month. Once operations normalize, the earnings On Emergency Rescue, the hospital was can be utilized to further improve the facili- able to respond to 2,415 cases, 1,777 of ty. More importantly, it has secured the this were those within Naga City and 21 employment and livelihood of close to 155 cases were those from neighboring towns. families who now are our partners in the operation of the MRF. Household-level Garbage Segregation

5 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y R E P O R T

Education Not surprisingly, Naga as Meanwhile, our "Iskolar kan Ciudad" The Raul S. Roco Library also serves as the center of innovative public education program continued to maintain 224 schol- the regional access point for the in Bicol emerged as the showcase of ars for the 1st semester and 189 regular Philippine e-Library project and is a DepEd's new policy to involve local com- scholars for the 2nd semester of SY 2005- recipient of the American Shelf Project of munities more fully in the management of 2006. Financial assistance was furthermore the Thomas Jefferson Information center the public school system. In fact, DepEd extended to 32 students for the 1st semes- of the US Embassy. national officials have cited our ongoing ter and 45 students for the 2nd semester of Through its library, Naga City was also efforts in local education reform as "the SY 2005-2006. Fifty-Five (55) of our schol- chosen as pilot city for the DepEd national exemplar". DepEd Naga City has ars successfully graduated in March last Library Hub Project. Recently, it availed gone the extra mile in our joint efforts to year. We have two new partners in our of an air-conditioned bus from the improve the quality of public education in scholarship program, the Camarines Sur National Library which serves as a the city. Bankers Association and the Teleng-Tan mobile library. Our local education reform efforts, Foundation. anchored on a pro-active city school The HELP Learning Center and the SPED Bicol Science Centrum The Bicol board, have yielded significant dividends. Center have expanded their clientele. We Science and Technology Centrum, the Using results of the 2004-2005 National have a significant number of students who only LGU-operated science center in Achievement Test as benchmark, our pub- are non-residents of the city. We will con- Luzon, registered a total number of lic elementary schools have registered an tinue to fill in the need until this can be 42,385 visitors, surpassing its target of average improvement of 9.5 % over the address by the LGUs concerned. As they 40,000, or an improvement of 106%. 2004 level, from 50.6% to 60.1%. Our pub- have done in the past, the Rotary Club of Translated in revenues, the Centrum col- lic high schools have also improved their Naga East has supported our SPED Center. lected the total amount of P288,867 average by 7.6 percentage points, from from visitors' fees, as against the target 46.9 to 54.6%. Both figures are higher Raul S. Roco Library 2005 saw the revenue of P175,000, or an impressive than the national average. If this perform- renaming of the newly-constructed Naga collection rate of 161%. ance level is sustained, it means the public City Public Library into the Raul S. Roco Since its establishment in 1995, the school system can achieve its target of hit- Library in honor of the man whom BSTC has to date accommodated a total ting the 75% proficiency level over the Bicolanos adoringly referred to as the great of 524,148 visitors, who are mainly pre- next years. President that we never had. schoolers and students from all parts of During the past year, your city govern- Its major goal of making local citizens the . ment spent a total of P7,863,009 for the conscious of the benefits of developing a Early last year, the BSTC, in partner- construction, improvement and repair, culture of reading is slowly turning into a ship with IBM , launched the and rehabilitation of multi-purpose halls reality with the following statistics: "Try Science" Program with the installa- in campuses, classrooms, comfort rooms tion of computer hardware and software in various public elementary and high -- 2,843, or 2% of the total city population worth P1.68-Million. We also have reno- school campuses and the construction of are now bonafide library cardholders; vated and expanded the galleries and the Library Hub. An additional P451,948 -- 33,728, or 25% of the city population other facilities at the Centrum to make it was drawn from the Empowerment Fund have visited the new library; more accessible and comfortable to visi- for additional repairs and rehabilitation in -- About 17,914 or 13% of the city popula- tors, in accordance with its mandate of at least two (2) campuses. tion have so far attended the various activi- bringing science and technology closer Under the CLICK program, a total of ties initiated by or held at library. to the people. 272 computers, 26 printers, and 22 The BSTC also introduced the modems were deployed to various public "Science on Wheels" and conducted 10 schools amounting to P4,314,745. traveling expositions to bring non-for- One hundred ten (110) more computers mal S&T education to as many locations and 9 printers were distributed to other and people as possible. Close to 37,000 schools under our IT program with the coming from various parts of Camarines DTI. Sur were served. Our World Bank-assisted WiFi connec- tion was likewise able to install 4 anten- Information & Communications nas, 4 bridges, 3 switches in San Isidro ES, Technology With our pace-setting ini- Carolina ES and Pacol ES which became tiatives and advances in the use of infor- accessible to Internet despite the absence mation communication technology as a of cable telephone lines in those remote potent pool in effective governance, a areas. Total cost of the equipment foreign observer, to our bemusement, reached P295,231. has dubbed our ICT development initia- Our Ayala Foundation, Inc. iLINK proj- tives as world-renown. ect also deployed 11 more computers, 2 Our web success through our website printers and 1 switch in addition to the (www.naga.gov.ph) can be clearly meas- computer equipment earlier distributed in Educating Parents ured by an average of 700,000 hits per various public schools. month with the August-September 2005 period reaching as high as one million THE 75% PROFICIENCY LEVEL TARGET FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN hits, or an average of 300 unique visitors NAGA CITY WILL BE ACHIEVED IN THE NEXT YEARS per day.

6 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y R E P O R T

This is attributed to our tool's interac- Barely one year old, the PSO has wasted In 2005, the Naga PNP posted a crime tive features, such as regularly updated no time to enhance the effectiveness of the solution efficiency of 70% which is 3% information and audio/video streaming various protective and emergency services better than the 67% crime solution effi- that spawned wider community awareness in the City of Naga. ciency recorded in 2004. Moreover, the and participation. One more win after our monthly crime rate was reduced to 8.6 in two consecutive year citation as best city In accordance with its mandate, the PSO 2005 from a high of 11 in 2004. Previous website nationwide, the city's website is has: reports, however, had placed Naga PNP's hoped to be elevated to the eLGU Hall of -- oordinated with national and local crime solution efficiency at as high as Fame in 2006. law enforcement agencies on the 90% which in those times consistently During the past year, the EDP, in part- proper implementation of laws and won for Naga the national citation for nership with the Naga City People's ordinances; having the Best Peace and Order Council Council (NCPC) installed a WIFI facility in -- Coordinated the mobilization of in the country. This means that we schools in the barangays of Pacol, Carolina manpower and resources in the should work hard to reclaim that glory. and San Isidro which until then was inac- implementation of contingency plans On our campaign against illegal drugs, cessible due to the inability of traditional to limit effects of disasters and other arrests were made against 18 suspected telephone companies to put up DSL con- calamities; drug dealers and users, netting a total of nection to cover the said barangays. -- Coordinated the formulation of the 9.4 grams of shabu and 28.3 grams of Installation of WIFI facilities has made our city public safety plan for submission to marijuana during the period January to otherwise remote barangay public schools the Naga City Peace and Order Council, December 2005. Of the 18 arrests made, at par with private schools which have including the formulation of a 13 of their cases are now pending trial access to Internet using their DSL connec- comprehensive year-round and before the local courts. tion. long-term action plans for barangay On the campaign against loose tanods and Bankat (Bantay-Kataid) firearms, corresponding charges have General Services Aside from its man- volunteers. been filed against 10 suspects during the dated task and responsibilities, the Office same period. Eleven more suspects were of the General Services religiously main- The other activities spearheaded by PSO apprehended for carnapping, which all tained the upkeep and cleanliness of parks included: involved stolen motorcycles. and grounds throughout the year. During the period, it also facilitated the installa- -- Enforcers Skills training with City Legal Office For the year 2005, tion of 200 new streetlights in various participants from "Pag-iribang Bantay- the City Legal Office faithfully performed barangays aside from its task of maintain- Barangay, PRIMO, Traffic Violation its mandate of representing the city gov- ing all streetlights in the city the whole Bureau, and PSO personnel; ernment and its officials in various cases year round. -- Bankat-Tanod Joint Seminar Workshop filed by or against it in courts, tribunal on criminal behavior. Modus operandi and/or quasi-judicial bodies. City Civil Registrar’s Office Earning of criminal elements, and strategies Of utmost significance and impor- positive feedback from clients, the Civil to combat crimes; tance is the eviction case entitled Heirs of Registrar's Office has adopted and satisfac- -- Deputization of 5 tanod members to Jose Mariano, et al vs. City of Naga. The torily implemented the following policies help in the citation of violators, whether City Legal Office was able to secure a that ensured customer-friendly, fast and traffic or other common violations; temporary Restraining Order from the quality service: "No Backlog Policy" where -- Seminar for drivers which tacked the Court of Appeals and opposed the execu- all requests are processed promptly at the role, duties and responsibilities of tion of the June 20, 2005 Decision of rate of 10 to 15 minutes per requested transport operators and drivers; Judge Felimon Montenegro thereby pre- document; "No Brownout Policy" where updates on the new transport and venting the ejectment of the City power outage is not an excuse to interrupt traffic rules and ordinances, and; Government of Naga and other govern- service to clients; "Clean Up Policy" where concerns and relationship of transport ment agencies, instrumentalities and junk or unusable supplies and materials sector with the riding public and the offices from the premises they are are eliminated to provide more space for community; and the presently occupying. the office. -- Establishment of a data base Income wise, the office has generated a to improve tracking of traffic rules Legislation The 8th Sangguniang total revenue from services in the amount compliance. Panlungsod, sustaining the momentum of P2,264,240, the highest recorded so far. of the previous year and upholding in Peace and Order Contrary to negative earnest the dictum "doing more with Public Safety The Public Safety Office public perception, statistics submitted by less," crafted 417 resolutions and 95 (PSO) was formally established in 2005 by the Naga City Police Station point to a rela- ordinances, breaching the records set in virtue of City Ordinance No. 2005-056 tively better performance in 2005 com- the previous legislative period. More passed by the Sangguniang Panglunsod pared to 2004. However, I am certain our than half of the council's outputs cen- headed by Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Bordado. law enforcement units need to do better to tered on people empowerment and par- It was drafted by City Councilor John G. improve public confidence on their capa- ticipation --- the acknowledged corner- Bongat, Chairman of the Committee on bility. stone of our system of local governance. Public Safety, and City Councilor Jose L. Crime volume in 2005 stood at 162 Landmark legislative initiatives were also Grageda, Chairman of the Committee on cases which is 21% lower than the 206 noted in urban development and social- Public Utilities. cases registered in 2004. ized housing, environment and land use,

7 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y R E P O R T education, family and youth development 2006 Targets With this report, we can say that we are triumphantly enforcing sustain- infrastructure, trade and industry, labor, able governance practices to ensure the long-term viability of our city where the livelihood, employment, health and public Nagueño is in the center of our service delivery. We will continue to collaborate with the safety which all dovetailed with the execu- Naga City People's Council to strengthen our time-tested partnership in bringing about tive thrusts and directions. innovations in local governance. Guided by the principle of "shared It is not surprising that at the start of 2006, we have been rained with honors that responsibility," the presiding officer and confirmed our esteemed status as a model for people-partnership and governance. Only members of the council have been pursu- a few days ago, Mr. David East, the publisher of the London-based Foreign Direct ing non-legislative programs and projects Investment Magazine, came to confer on us the honor for being the "Most Cost Effective in a bid to address directly the problems City in Asia in the magazine's search for "Asian Cities and Regions of the Future and concerns of their constituents. Vice 2005/2006". Mayor Gabby Bordado has been involved The accolades and the triumphs that we receive should mean that we must continue in the implementation of local education to strive to make the best better, always a notch higher, in addition to having more with reforms, including the promotion of read- less. ing as a tool for self-improvement and By continuously doing more with less and with good governance as our animating securing the very future of the nation. tool, we shall focus much less on our self-interest, but much more on being open to the Councilor John Bongat has nurtured and needs of others. It is with the bigger needs that we should all commit to serve given our strengthened the Bantay - Kataid (BanKat) big hearts and limited resources. to help in the maintenance of peace and That is why, effective this year, we have launched "Serbis Bilis" which is aimed at order at the city. Councilor Nene de Asis charging up our dedication and competence in fostering service delivery and public continues to champion the welfare of fam- interest. ilies, particularly women and children Always a notch higher, we shall embark to improve on our achievements, make through her Bantay Familia. higher grades, and see to it that we shall rank at the top in improving the quality of life Councilor Steve Abonal, aside from of our people, in providing jobs and employment, in making our schoolchildren surpass heading our OSCA, chairs the HELP their proficiency level, and in making sure that peace and order shall rein over petty Learning Center Foundation. Councilor crimes and other social ills. Lourdes Asence, aside from also taking the We shall be launching "Viva Naga 2007" at the end of the first quarter of this year. This cudgels for the senior citizens, oversees is an ambitious investment and tourism program that will put into high gear all our our health programs. Gender and devel- programs and projects that will make Naga a certified preferred location for business- opment as well as urban poor concerns men, investors and tourists. This will also mean upgrading our physical and service facil- dominate Councilor Miles Arroyo's work- ities at par with other highly-progressive urban centers in the country. ing agenda. Councilor William Del Rosario Along these lines, we shall endeavor to re-dedicate ourselves to make each on the other hand, has his "Task Force achievement always a notch higher in the year 2006 and beyond: Tubig" and "Task Force Kabuhayan". -- We shall create a positive climate for entrepreneurial independence and initiative Councilor Jun Lavadia is involved in proj- with more vim and vigor; the bottom-line is for small business to become easier ects aimed at protecting the environment. to set up and better able to survive Councilor Salvador Del Castillo draws -- With continuing business expansion confronting us, the important task is to invest from his extensive experience in local gov- in human capital and make individuals and businesses fit for the knowledge-based ernment finance to assist in revenue-gen- economy of the future erating undertakings. Councilor Jose -- In partnership with the various learning institutions, public and private, we shall Grageda is into human rights protection require a competent and well-trained workforce eager and ready to take new and transparent governance on top of his responsibilities challenging job as executive director of the -- For ICT, the focus is to build new pioneering niches for Naga. In animation, Naga City Price Coordinating Council. for example, the city would like to be a major animation center. To do this, we will Councilor Jose Mari Mercado deftly leads build on the efforts of Ateneo de Naga in 3-D animation by enhancing the workforce's the Liga ng mga Barangay while Councilor capability in 2-D and multi-media. This will be done by empowering the city's schools Allen Reondanga, the chairman of the and training institutions so that they can offer animation courses. We have signed an Naga City SK Federation, actively supports agreement in this regard with the participating institutions concerned. the Sanggawadan, a program which pro- -- We shall continue to intensify our program to provide at least one job for each vides assistance to indigent students and member of the family in the city, maintain minimum social standards, help families in the city. families cope with change and open up fresh opportunities for those who are unable to keep pace -- We shall balance the utilization of our industries and utilities while doing a good job of environmental protection and conservation we must continue -- We should always consider safety on the street as a civil right of every resident. “ A policy to make our city worth living as we have experienced fosters community to strive to make spirit, invites more investors and makes residential areas safer -- In all these endeavors, we shall observe real partnership, with each one having the best better, the opportunity of sharing the rewards of success of others. always a notch higher We have done well in 2005. But I am certain we can even do better in 2006! Thank you.

8 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 ” 1. FDI David East during his short stint here to award the Most Cost-Effcctive City in Asia 2. Opening of the city’s newest shopping center, the Nagaland EMall 3. Ribbon-cutting for the late Dean Janet Soler memorabilia at the Raul S. Roco Library 4. Senator get to sample a locally-made chocolate bar in a recent visit to Naga 5. Visitors get a peek of the newly renovated Hall of Fame at the Raul S. Roco Library 6. Foreign dignitaries and visitors from ShiShi City of the Fujian Province, China 7. Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr with Mayor Jesse Robredo and VM Gabby Bordado during the Palarong Bikol 2006 opening rites 8. Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland during his excellency’s visit here.

9 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 NEWSBRIEF Robredo is one of the 'Best 6' leaders in RP

By JOE PEREZ NCVC NEWSBREAK, a national magazine that "makes sense of the news" hogging today's headlines, has named Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo as one of the "Outstanding 6" local leaders whose honest intentions as public servants change things for the better. The magazine, edited by veteran journalist Marites D. Vitug, in its April 24, 2006 issue takes a special report on leadership in its cover story as it chose Robredo, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Bulacan Gov. Josefina de la Cruz, Tagaytay City Mayor Francis Tolentino, San Fernando (La Union) City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, and davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the country's exemplary local chief executives whose leadership is about serving the public interest. While she took issue on President 's penchant to boost herself by telling us that God is on her side and that she is the best person to lead this country in its trying times, Vitug in her editorial note wrote to readers that the magazine's issue, "would like to show that leadership need not arise from proclamations of anointment by God." She pointed out that leadership in a true democracy is about being elected to cater to the common good. The magazine credited Robredo for his improved education services; increased annual revenues (from P13M in 1988 to P132M in 2002); reduced pro- curement costs thru transparent transactions under the award-winning i- IF I WERE PRESIDENT Governance program; and higher annual family income (Nagueños' average family I will drastically change the income is 126% higher than the average family in the Bicol region, and 42% higher than the national average, based on ADB data). allocation of government The magazine noted Robredo as having imbibed his innovative streak from his resources to favor local experience as a corporate executive before he joined politics after Edsa 1. governments. I will make LGU Under Robredo's stewardship, Naga has earned 140 regional, national and inter- leaders more accountable to national awards, and still counting. their constituents in a His i-Governance was chosen as one of the best practices at the 2004 Dubai ‘ International awards and was recipient of the United Nations Public Service measurable way Awards during the same year for applying information and communications tech- nology in governance.

EDP brings honor to Naga; cops the much coveted Best City Website

Tasked to maintain the more than 18 information systems of the local government unit, EDP has bested other finalists cities like Escalante and San Carlos in Negros Occidental, Bayawan in Negros Oriental and Mandaue in Cebu to cop for the second’ time in a row the much coveted Best City Website for the National Computer Center's search for the 2005 Best LGU Website Awards. Another win next year will automatically place LGU-Naga into eLGU Hall of Fame. Its award-winning website www.naga.gov.ph has underwent a number of redesigning and upgrading sequences, thus, enhancing the interactive elements and also its aesthet- ic value which features among others what's hot and new in Naga City and an assortment of mini-sites that includes video streams published on-line. At present, EDP is currently undertaking the i-Serve Project which include the automation of the city's web-based privilege card and ID system. Boosting the local taxation efforts with the added help of the newest in information technology tools, the EDP is presently upgrading the local real property tax info sys- tem and is keen on the possibility of having it outsourced to optimize the returns.

10 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 THE RIGHTFUL HOST PALARONGPAMBANSA2006

By MON BATURIANO JR CDIO Other playing venues from the city-owned Naga City Gym and Mayor Robredo further explained that aside from its sporting Naga City Civic Center as well as those owned by the local schools facilities, Naga City has other more reasons that make it the ideal and universities offer ideal playing conditions and facilities. and rightful host of the palaro. The city mayor said: Naga City's The more than 8,000 participating athletes, coaches, and offici- operational capabilities in hosting the 2006 Palarong Pambansa are ating teams can find comfort and convenience in the more than anchored on its track record and logistical readiness complemented 830 rooms complete with amenities like comfort rooms, viewing by its excellent peace and order situation, accessibility and collec- room, washing area, kitchen, open spaces, covered courts and the tive volunteerism of the Bikolanos like.

Track record Naga City's enviable track record in stage-manag- Excellent peace and order Naga City's peace and order situa- ing the country's premier school-based sporting event has yet to tion in Naga City is excellent and conducive to the holding of the be surpassed. Both in 1997 and 2002, Naga City hosted the national sporting event. Its excellent peace and order can be attrib- national event with superb results getting unanimous accolades uted to the distinctively warm and harmonious socio-cultural eth- and praises not only from the regional delegations of both CHED nicity and deep religiosity of the Bikolanos. The city is home to and DepEd but the national agencies and business communities peace-loving citizens positively bred in large measure by the pha- as well. lanx of schools, universities and community churches. In spite of great sacrifices and hardwork, Naga City in partner- Crime rate is lower compared to the other Philippine ship with the Department of Education, CHED, Philippine Sports cities. Commission and many other public and private entities pulled The city's remote distance from the identified off with sterling performance the hosting of the 1997 and 2002 "potential hotbeds" of terrorism and insurgency has Palarong Pambansa. spared it from the umbrage of the clear and present In the staging of both games, Naga City opened and closed danger of terrorism and insurgency that could dis- the Palaro as scheduled with no major hitches thanks no rupt the successful staging of a sporting event of less to the efficient city government leadership and national magnitude like the Palarong Pambansa. the smooth coordination between LGU-Naga City and the local DepEd as well as the various govern- Collective volunteerism at its best in Bikol ment and non-government agencies. In both event stagings, the Bikolanos Both games elicited wide audience following with showed its collective volunteerism with close to 100,000 sports spectators attending the schoolchildren, the youth sector and Palaro ceremonies and keeping tab on the different adult volunteers from both public and sporting events. private sectors. Volunteers shared willingly their time, resources and Accessibility and logistical readiness Being situ- talents in ensuring the successful staging of the event ated at the heart of Bikolandia and the region, from serving as route locators, first-aiders, information being at the crossroads of both Luzon, Visayas and disseminators, mobile radio communicators, etc. Mindanao, have combined to serve favorably There is more to the operational and logistical capa- Naga City as an ideal location for the 2006 bilities of Naga City. Motivating factors serve to empower Palarong Pambansa. the entire community of Naga City to share and do its part Strategically located along the Bikol river in making another successful showing of the annual and at the foot of the storied Mt. Isarog, Naga Palaro. Thus, the city's leadership is fully confident of its City is considered the Gateway City to commitment to share its part in making possible the con- Bikolandia with its links to Camarines struction and renovation of sports facilities and billeting cen- Norte in the north via the Maharlika ters. Highway, Catanduanes in the east, Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon in the south. Positive contributor to local economy and sports Participants from various regions in development The staging of the 1997 and 2002 Palarong Luzon are spared the trouble from hopping Pambansa served as the proverbial flames that attracted more one island after another by just taking the Maharlika route. moths in the form of investments, renewed vigor in entrepre- While delegates from the Visayas and Mindanao can take the neurship among local Nagueños and the massive apprecia- RORO sea-route to Bikol via Batangas or via Matnog in tion of sports and physical fitness among the locals. Sorsogon. Being situated in the middle By taking center stage during both games, Bikol's niche in portion of the archipelago, Naga City offers both Luzon and the Philippine business map, with all its untapped natural and Vis-Min delegates half the time and resources, transporta- mineral resources and certified tourism magnets, has been tion-wise. carved underscoring its strategic links to various Asia-Pacific On top of its accessibility, Naga City enjoys its distinct cities and straddling both the South China and the vast Philippine advantage of having its sporting venues and accommoda- sea. tion areas in place. Not only economically but in the mass promotion of sports to Maintained by the local government of Naga, the Metro the grassroots as well. Recent triumphs in the SEA Games have Naga Sports Complex situated in Pacol, Naga City, is the proved this point with local SEAG athletes like the Ramirez broth- site of numerous sports events in both local and regional levels ers from Milaor, Camarines Sur winning convincingly over its more over the years. 11 CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 THE RIGHTFUL HOST more seasoned opponents. The Ramirez' swept the gym- nastics gold during the South East Asian Games 2005.

Tourism booster Except for the exotic charms found in the majestic Mt. Isarog (notably Malabsay, Yabo, Tumaguiti Falls and pockets of hotsprings and inland resorts), Naga City's limited endowment in natural wonders is effectively counterbalanced by the city's bustling trade and services sectors that have produced entertainment and sightseeing extravaganzas. Sprawled all over the bustling city centro are the shoppers' mecca: LCC Grand Central Mall, the Robertson Mall, Traders Square, and the newly-opened Naga Land E-Mall, Paseo de Caceres, Avenue Square and the soon-to-be-opened SM Naga City and Pacific LandCo. Not-so-pricey hotels with mini-convention facilities and superb watering holes and bistros along Magsaysay Avenue make visitors' stay in Naga City truly lively and memorable. Not to be left behind are the timeless allure of the city's magnificent churches, shrines, museums, parks and plazas rem- iniscent of its historic past as a former Spanish Royal city--- Ciudad de Nueva Caceres---with the splendor of old vestiges and new landmarks like the Penafrancia shrine, Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum and Plaza Quince Martires just opposite the San Francisco Church, one of the oldest in the country. Meantime, the local catholic church and the city govern- ment of Naga have been annually celebrating the Penafrancia festival in honor of the regional patroness of Bikol, Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia every September. Another cultural fes- tival spearheaded by the city is the Kamundagan Festival which commemorates the birth and rebirth of the city.

"MORE COMFORT, MORE(RECORD)BREAKS": SPRUC- ING UP THE LOCAL BILLETING AREAS FOR THE ADVANTAGE OF THE REGIONAL DELEGATIONS The billeting areas and quarters for the regional athletic and Venue Location Game Events officiating delegations are adequate and conveniently located, Metro Naga Sports Pacol, Naga City Athletics, Baseball with sufficient number of rooms, comfort rooms, washing and Complex Football, Lawn Tennis, drying areas, kitchen and dining areas-including viewing areas for Sepak Takraw, Sipa, TV/cable TV viewing-and other basic requirements like telephony, Swimming, Volleyball transportation and perimeter security. Within 5-8 minutes away from the farthest playing venues, the Naga City Gymnasium Taal Avenue, Naga City Badminton 25 billeting centers (with seven centers reserved) have 832 com- Naga City Civic Center Taal Avenue, Naga City Lawn Tennis bined classrooms---more than enough to accommodate the more than 8,000 delegates from all over the country. Camarines Sur National Peñafrancia Avenue, Archery With almost 90 reserved classrooms, the regional delegations High School Naga City are assured of a minimum of 40 classrooms each with comfort rooms (T&B) good for every 25 delegates including available and Camarines Sur Peñafrancia Avenue, Boxing spacious washing areas and clean lavatories with good drainage Polythecnic College Naga City system. Local water and electric providers, MNWD and CASURECO II, Ateneo de Naga Univ Pacol, Naga City Volleyball, Gymnastics, have been proven more than capable during the previous Palaro Football events in ensuring non-stop, clean and adequate water supply Ateneo de Naga Univ Ateneo Ave., Naga City Chess, Volleyball and uninterrupted power service. Previously, these public utili- ties organized a "24 hour 7 days a week (7/24)" task forces to GSIS Tennis Court Del Rosario, Naga City Lawn Tennis monitor and repair power and water connections. Hope Christian School Panganiban, Naga City Table Tennis As to the food requirements, highly-competitive local caterers UNC Grounds Sta. Cruz, Naga City Softball will provide the required foodstuff with both Moslem and UNC Sports Palace Sta. Cruz, Naga City Taekwondo Christian delegates' food preferences taken cared of. Holy Rosary Minor Sem E. Angeles St., NC Football 12CITY HALL MATTERS | MAY 2006 NAGA'S ALL SET FOR PALARONG PAMBANSA '06 "Naga City's sports facilities that were mainly used during the 1997 and 2002 Palarong Pambansa are of International Standard, well-secured, and very accessible to the viewing public," says Mayor Robredo as he spearheaded the bidding for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2006. Hagedorn's Puerto Princesa (in Palawan) and BF Fernando's Marikina also vied for the privilege to host the annual event but the DepEd Palaro Screening Committee nonetheless chose Naga City primarily for its readiness, willing- ness, capability and experience in hosting the country's premier school-based sports event. With only three days to work out LGU-Naga's Bid Book for submission to the DepEd's Screening Committee, the technical working group composed of Mon Baturiano and Bob Rosin of the City Mayor's Office, Bob Ursua of the Naga City School Board, Herman Bobis, education supervisor on school facilities of DepEd Naga and ably supervised by City Administrator Frank Mendoza buckled down to work "to deliver the goods" before the deadline on January 6, 2006. The rest became history. Naga City will host once more the annual sporting event for the third time in nine years having hosted the same, in quite a sterling fashion, in 1997 and in 2002, during the incumbency of then DepEd Secretary Raul Roco. Metro Naga Sports Complex: Enzyme center for sports development Metro Naga Sports Complex, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held, easily accommodates more than 15,000 people in the complex bleachers alone and another 50,000+ audience in the many viewing areas surrounding the massive sports com- plex built in accordance with international standards in 1997. DepEd Naga will be responsible for the Opening and Closing ceremonies which will feature simple yet festive field demonstrations and presentation as well as the parade of regional athletes and delegates. The sports complex's close proximity to the local water servicing station's numerous water pumps assure ade- quate water supply and distribution to the intended users while its uninterruptible power service had been test- ed without snags during the 1997 and 2002 palaro events. The huge complex will serve as the playing venue for the following events: Athletics, Baseball (little league/chil- dren's), Football, Lawn Tennis, Sepak Takraw, Sipa, Swimming and Volleyball. In both the 1997 and 2002 palaro and even in regional sporting competitions, many national and local sports City Youth '06 officials buckle down to work records were broken particularly in swimming and athlet- City Youth Administrator Kurt Nikki B. Ayubo ics. Homegrown swimming sensations like Jonathan Villagracia and Bonus Bordado splashed their way to After the grueling, mentally-provoking and intelligence-challenging battery of tests and record-breaking feats at the Metro Naga Sports Complex essay composition, 45 aspiring City youth officials for 2006-2007 emerged on top of the list swimming pools while PBA hotshots like Willie Miller once out of the one hundred and forty (140) hopeful youth who vied to hold the reins of the City displayed his basketball antics before the local crowd. Government of Naga as juvenile managers and youthful leaders. All year-long, MNSC caters to many locally-initiated phys- The 45 survivors were later trimmed down to the top 41 as soon as the results of the panel ical fitness and sporting activities from both the public and (oral) examinations were released. Searching inside their heads to satisfy the five panelist's private sectors. The sports complex will play a critical role grill, the 41 youth leaders managed to collect their thoughts, maintain their composure and in the discovery and sustained training of future athletes expressed themselves eloquently. "It was like a beauty contest," commented one successful who will make Naga and the rest of Bikolandia proud. aspirant, "yes, beauty was the whole point, and we were summoned to give rise for the beau- Other playing venues which have their respective bleachers tification of the city." and viewing areas include the city-owned and operated At the helm of this year's City Youth officials is Ma. Joanna Segumalian and ably assisted Naga City Gymnasium and Naga City Civic Center. For by the CYVM, Jennifer Sauza. Completing the slate of the honorable youth councilors are sporting events like archery, boxing, gymnastics, football, Mariane Bañas, Fatima Jimenez, Al Sto. Domingo, Eloisa Agna, Jerome Asico, Ma. Haria chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, softball, and taekwondo, Baracena, Cristina Borromeo, Jarick Acosta, Renze Alberto. ABC youth councilor is Joanne local schools and universities are amenable to play host Garay while SK youth is Jessica Alcober. once again just as they did in the 1997 and 2002 Palaro. Optimizing every hour of their limited one-month-and-a-half tenure of office, the City These local schools include the Camarines Sur National Youth officials have embarked on numerous worthwhile projects and programs that include High School, CSPC (formerly BCAT), Ateneo de Naga the Public Market Clean-Up dubbed as Linigan an Banwaan. In cohort with willing and able University, Ateneo de Naga (Main), Hope Christian School, volunteers, the group cleaned the colossal 3 storey Naga City Public Market, once hailed as UNC Grounds, UNC Sports Palace and Holy Rosary Minor the biggest single edifice public market in the whole of Southeast Asia in the 70s, in prepara- Seminary. tion for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2006. The market is considered as one of the city's Medical and dental services are ably provided by the Naga show windows as various agri-produce and shoppers' items can be found and usually City Health Office in joint tandem with the city-operated patronized by the city's hordes of visitors and guests. and fully-functional Naga City Hospital. Dependable ERN Other programmed projects include the Hearts and Minds program in cooperation with the paramedics from the NCH and other volunteer paramedic Population Nutrition Office which aims to impart knowledge on different issues confronting organizations guarantee the safety not only of the athletes today's youth, drumbeat awareness on current issues among the youth and at the same time and participants but also the spectators. mitigate the problems concerning health and drug addiction, and many others. The technical equipment, materials and supplies in Once the Palarong Pambansa 06 is over, the CYO's next agenda would entail bringing gen- accordance with the specifications prescribed by the uine happiness to the Nagueños through public service. Slated sometime in May, the four-in- Technical Management and Games Administration one activity is dubbed Baduan Ang Naga (medical, surgical and dental mission and sympo- Committee will not be much of a problem for the three- sium on health. time Palaro host given the solid support of the DepEd and The City Youth Official would aim to help in the betterment of the City. ‘For a month and a PhilSports people. half, we would try our very best, as youth or even as leaders to perform well on our given tasks,” ends the charming city youth mayor.