VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)--Re-elected Valencia City Mayor Azucena Panes Huervas has vowed to pursue a strong and inclusive economic growth in the city during her inaugural speech on June 28, 2022 at the Valencia City Gymnasium.

Mayor Huervas said it is the obligation of city officials to restore the strength of the economy while continuing to monitor the health situation and adhere to health standards.

“With the grace of God and the support of the people we can achieve the dream for a progressive, peaceful, humane and developed city,” she added.  She said a dynamic and efficient city could be achieved with unity of purpose between the executive and legislative officials and the trust and cooperation of citizens.

She said it is in the hands of the people and officials to ensure that Valencia maintains its status as the commercial center of Bukidnon and one of the leading economic centers of Region 10.

The mayor did not specify any economic program to pursue but she said she will continue the local “build, build, build” for new infrastructure projects.

Huervas said she will need the assistance and support of the city council in developing and submitting policies to assist people who are most affected by the increase of price of the basic and prime commodities due to the threat of constant increases in global oil prices.

She cited that the city would face many challenges in the next three years even if it has recently overcome COVID-19. However, she said, peace and order issues continue to haunt the city.  

Mayor Huervas said her administration would continue the services she started eight years ago and vowed to promote inclusive growth such that “no Valencianos will be left behind”.

She said to achieve a dynamic and efficient economy, the city has to stop crimes and address its root causes.

“We will be strong against crimes. We will also be strong against the root causes of the crimes, we will continue to expand our social services,” she added.

She said she will expand the city’s social service programs, livelihood programs, hospital, and medical assistance programs, assistance to individuals in crisis situations, and various scholarship programs”.

She was glad that the city has remained at alert level 1 for the past few months, with almost no new cases of Covid-19. 

As a result, she said, she decided to approve the requests of schools to hold face-to-face graduation as well as limited face-to-face classes for the next school year.

To the members of the city council, she registered her willingness to work with them, in response to an earlier expression by Vice Mayor Teodoro Roteo T. Pepito (see related story).
 
“I can work with anyone for the welfare of the people and the success of our programs in the city,” she said.

She said the elections are over and it is time to work together.

“I am looking forward to a good and effective working relationship with the new city council based on trust, good faith, mutual respect and common desire to uplift the welfare of the people of Valencia,” she added. (PINIYALAN Reporting Governance Community Project/PIA-Bukidnon)