CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines – A month ahead of his scheduled inauguration on June 30, mayor-in-waiting Julius Cesar Vergara, who won a fresh mandate after a three-year hiatus at City Hall, has vowed to restore hospital and medical services for indigent residents that were lost when the outgoing administration took over in 2007.
Speaking over his radio-TV program “Si Jay sa Double J” which airs live on community Channel 16 and radio DWJJ, said the basic needs of Cabanatueños such as free hospitalization and medical care would be implemented anew by his incoming administration aside from efficient garbage collection.
“It’s back to years 1998 to 2007 again,” Vergara said, referring to the nine years he ruled the city as local chief executive. Back then, he recalled, local residents availed of free hospitalization, courtesy of the Manuel V. Gallego Cabanatuan City General Hospital, which is owned and operated by the city government.
Vergara also pledged to reinstate garbage haulers and street sweepers who were booted out of their jobs under the current administration.
Vergara, who won the mayorship with a winning margin of over 50,000 votes said he would conduct an inventory and immediate repair of the city’s motor vehicles to carry on with his legislative agenda of “Pagbabago, Pagbabago,” for the people of Cabanatuan .
“Give me a little time to do the big job that awaits my return at the helm of the city,” Jay said.
He said he would pursue the 50-year development plan which master-plans his vision for a metropolitan city of fully-satisfied residents.
Aside from development projects, Vergara said among his priorities are to repair the 24 patrol cars donated by the Vergara administration to the city police. He said 47 road-building equipment consisting of dump trucks, road graders, backhoes, bulldozer and steam roller have not reportedly been well-maintained over the past three years thereby falling short on their efficiency rating.
Vergara also reiterated his campaign promise not to touch tricycle color-coding plates issued to the city’s tricycle operators, but added there would be an efficient recording of the tricycle units now operating in the city in order for their operators and drivers to earn decently and within the bounds of law.