The Cadiz City officials led by Mayor Salvador Escalante with Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (6th and 5th from left) after their oathtaking rites on Monday, July 4.*
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. pledged to attract more businesses to invest in Cadiz City and opportunities for employment for Cadiznons in his message following the ceremonial oath taking of the city’s officials at the Cadiz City Arena on Monday, July 4.
Escalante also vowed to champion the protection of the environment, promote food security and sufficiency, open more avenues for public and private sector collaboration, and ensure efficiency in government service.
The Cadiz officials took their oaths of office before Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) as the city marked its 55th Charter Day.
Those who took their oaths along with Escalante were Vice Mayor Lilia Decolongon and councilors John Vincent Escalante, Marlon Metoda, Lalen Lamis, Frances Guanzon, Kathrina Kaye Gustilo-Balbin, Fria Cristine Napiza, Sheila Tabanao, Warren Zaragoza Sr., Maricel Desuyo and Cedric John Nido Olvido.
Escalante, in his speech, called on the police to continue to make Cadiz a drug-free city, and on the city government employees to keep improving on the quality of their service.
“The new direction of governance is towards globalization and digitalization. My administration will attempt to create a roadmap toward E-Governance,” he said.
Escalante also assured the business sector of his support.
“My administration will continue to open new opportunities for investments and will create more incentive packages for those who will work with us, particularly the MSMEs and the transportation sector,” he said.
He also said government grants will be given to those who are willing to transition to adopt to environment friendly and energy -efficient modes of transportation, such as the E-Tricycle.
Escalante said the city government is implementing an ambitious P700 million road network project that will provide access and empower small and medium-scale farmers to send their produce to trading posts.
The city government will provide the farmers with farm implements and equipment to lessen their production costs, he said.
“Let us launch eco-tourism development programs that are sustainable and people–centered,” he also said.
In an interview, Escalante said they will also work on raising local revenues to address the P220 million drop in Cadiz City’s National Tax Allotment next year.
Local businesses will have to pay their taxes, he said.
The city government is also seeking the establishment of a Cadiz City College and hospital with the help of Marañon as it will require legislation, he said.
Escalate said he won by 54,272 votes in May, the biggest number in the city’s history.
Nine of the 10 winning councilors are also his allies, he said.*