FIRST 100 DAYS. Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil reports his accomplishments in his first 100 days in office at the Sangguniang Bayan of Lingayen, Pangasinan on Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2019). Bataoil highlighted the increased local income, improved orderliness in the town as well as infrastructure projects among his administration's achievements. (Photo courtesy of Municipal Information Office-Lingayen)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil has reported an increased local income, improved services and infrastructure, orderliness and stricter enforcement of laws in this town during his first 100 days in office.
Bataoil, on Wednesday, reported an 85-percent increase in the town’s earnings to PHP14.8 million from July to Sept. 30 this year, from PHP8 million during the same period last year.
“For our financial management, we are proud to disclose that our municipal government has now been effectively collecting the taxes and other fees lawfully due to it. While there are still much to be done, we are looking at a very impressive start. This huge increase can be attributed to the enforcement of existing ordinances without fear or favor. This huge increase is highlighted by the collection of rental income, Real Property Taxes (RPT), and business permit fees,” he said in a report to his constituents.
“We have encouraged stallholders to pay on time to avoid incurring penalties,” he added.
Bataoil also said his administration closed 16 retail stalls for failure to comply with the rent payment while five stallholders voluntarily close shops. Some 41 stalls have been opened to the public with 65 applicants are in line.
“For the collection of RPT, 821 demand letters were prepared, of which 172 were already delivered. Out of these landholders, 69 immediately responded by paying their taxes. Thus, we expect to collect more as soon as these letters are completely sent to taxpayers,” he said.
Bataoil assured his constituents that all the funds collected by the municipal government are now used to render much-needed services to the townsfolk and to build the necessary infrastructures.
"Congratulations, Municipal Treasurer’s Office,” he said.
The local chief executive also noted the infrastructure projects his administration has started.
“Among these were the repainting of the municipal hall building as well as repair of roofs of the municipal hall. These are, of course, to make the Municipal Hall, which is the very face of our local government, more presentable, not only for its employees, but for all who are more than welcome to visit the place for any legitimate concerns. We foresee that the Municipal Building would be a tourist attraction, along with its being the seat of political power,” he said.
He said the development of the Lingayen Town Plaza Auditorium is underway while Rizal Park is undergoing renovation.
The construction of the seven-hectare nature ecopark in Pangapisan North that will include the Limahong Channel Tourism Center started with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Pangasinan second district Rep. Jumel Anthony I. Espino, Bataoil said.
“For our children and adults alike, it is with a joyful heart to build the Lingayen Amusement Park. At present, we have prepared the foundations and now prepping up the rides to be put there, the structures for the cartoon village, and the boats for its river cruise,” he said.
“We also plan to install solar street lights, closed circuit television cameras, and computerized transactions in the municipal government in support of the environmental-friendly concept of being paperless,” Bataoil said.
The mayor underscored his policy on “political will with humanitarian consideration”. (PNA)
