 |
| Mayor Ronald Aquino as he delivered his Welcome Message during the Opening Ceremony for Pacific Partnership 2012. Also in photo are Admiral Cecil Haney, Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Ambassador Harry Thomas and Monsignor Francisco Cinco, III. (Photo by Joel Lagang) |
Good Morning! Maupay nga aga sa atun ngatanan!
It is always a pleasure to deliver speeches that welcome guests to our beloved City of Calbayog. My welcome speech this morning is a notch above the rest, because we are welcoming no less that the Ambassador of the United States; and most importantly, we are welcoming our medical workers and friends from the military from both the Philippines and the United States who have come to Calbayog to become medical missionaries ready to serve our less-fortunate constituents.
Please allow me to repeat the line which I always say when I welcome guests to Calbayog. To Ambassador Thomas and all our guests, I say welcome to Calbayog, the City of Many Identities. Name it and Calbayog is it. The city of talented people, the city of waterfalls, the city where God was generous in giving many natural wonders, a city now on its way to progress. And lately, we have added another identity, Calbayog the most peaceful city in region 8 (If you do not believe me, you can always ask our officials from the PNP).
How I wish that Ambassador Thomas is here in Calbayog today on R and R (or rest and recreation) so I can show him the natural wonders and attractions of our city. How I wish that our guests are here in Calbayog to relax and enjoy our food like the Humba, the Tinapa and our pili-nut delicacies. Maybe, when they have finished their mission, they can come back to enjoy our beach, our waterfalls and yes cold beer and sunsets, and other good things that equate with the city of Calbayog.
Calbayog is a city on the rise to progress. Many investors have taken a close look at our city. The price of real property is on the rise. Some banks have considered Calbayog as ripe for investments. In a few months’ time, malls and commercial establishments are expected to rise, promising to change not only the skyline of Calbayog, but its economic profile as well.
There are many more good news that can be said about Calbayog. Whatever modest success we have had in various areas of governance, these were brought about by the cooperation between the LGU and our stakeholders, many of whom are present here today, the DepEd, the SOS, WESADEF, the Rotary Club, the Barangay officials, to name a few. Our modest successes were dictated by our mantra which is to have a government that works with the people and not only to work for the people. In other words, before Pacific Partnership 2012 (or PP12) came to be, we in Calbayog were already doing the theme of PP12. That we in Calbayog have been working together towards a better community.
But of course it is not a totally rosy picture that we can paint about Calbayog. Calbayog is not (yet) perfect. We are still far from achieving our goals of a perfect place for every Calbayognon. Much still needs to be done for Calbayog. The local leadership is realistic enough to acknowledge that we still need to do much for our people, especially those who have less or nothing in life; for those who do not have easy access to employment, housing, proper nutrition, and especially proper health care and health services. We may be able to come up with novel programs to minimize problems like these, but we will still be needing all the help that we can get. And today we thank PP12 for the help that they are about to extend to our people in Calbayog. Together with our stakeholders, we say thank you for considering the City of Calbayog.
Every assistance that you will give, every medical service that you will extend is a big step forward for us in our efforts for a better life for our people especially in the barangays. Indeed, if I may rephrase a line recently said by Aung San Suu Kyi, one sick child who is not taken care of is one too many; one sick person who does not receive the medical care he deserves is one too many.
To our friends from Pacific Partnership 2012, thank you for coming to Calbayog. Yes, we all intend to work together to put in place better communities. Let us work together towards a better Calbayog and a better Samar.
It is on that note that I welcome you all to Calbayog. Dayun kam sa ciudad san Calbayog.
Salamat ug Maupay nga adlaw sa atun ngatanan!
