PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, (PNA) -– Mayor Lucilo Bayron’s first 100 days report Thursday boasted accomplishments of his administration on special programs in environmental protection, fight against illegal drugs, and downgrading of tropical disease like malaria and dengue.
According to Bayron, despite lacking sufficient budget for the remaining months, this year, his administration was still able to accomplish a lot.
For instance, the Bantay Dagat Program of the city government has successfully accomplished demolition of around six large illegal fish pens operating in areas within Puerto Princesa’s territorial waters, confiscation of around 6,000 board feet of assorted illegally cut logs and wood flitches by the Bantay Gubat, and decrease in reported dengue and malaria cases from July to September.
Reporting on the city’s tourism industry, Byron said that although there was a visible decrease in the number of tourist arrivals, this is because it is “really lean season” in the past months.
However, he said that the City Tourism Department (CTD) and other tourism industry stakeholders are now preparing to receive over 100,000 foreign and domestic tourists during the peak season until the month of December.
“Every tour site in the country has off and peak seasons that can’t be avoided. We cannot avoid days or months when tourist arrivals are slow due to bad weather. But this does not mean that Puerto Princesa’s tourism industry is already down,” Bayron stressed.
In his report, he said that his administration is positive that it will surpass last year’s tourism arrival of 654,033 because since January to September, the tourism arrival record was already 518,174.
The mayor also said that because of the computer-based booking system for the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR), they now receive lesser complaints.
“I am proud to report that the booking system for the PPUR has been established, and booking has been smooth so far. We have also repaired the booking office, and services can now be delivered with ease. Aside from that, the PPUR management has already hired a medical nurse for emergency needs of our guests,” he said.
Others are the creation of a Baywalk Board to maintain the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park, repainting and rehabilitation of offices, such as the City Police Office (CPO), the City Fire Department (CFD) and the Sabang Wharf.
On peace and order, Bayron said effective coordination has already been done with the military and the police to ensure the safety of the people and vital structures. A meeting was also called with the Islamic community to sign a peace covenant, and for senior leaders to take responsibility in maintaining good relationship in their communities.
In the following days leading to the second semester, an agreement is already being prepared between the city government and Palawan State University (PSU) for the hosting of 2,000 scholars coming from indigent families.
The mayor said the residents of the city can expect that by next year, more programs and projects will be implemented by his “Apuradong Administrasyon”, a trademark that aims to do what can be done now, and not tomorrow” to improve their living conditions.