CHARTER DAY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos delivers a speech during the Ormoc City's 75th Charter Day celebration at Ormoc City Superdome in Leyte on Thursday (Oct. 20, 2022). Marcos promised to support the city government's programs and projects. (Screengrab from RTVM)
MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Thursday pledged to support the Ormoc City government's programs and projects, as he expressed confidence that it could help his administration make the Philippines a "better, brighter, and more united" nation.
Marcos made the commitment during the Ormoc City's 75th Charter Day celebration at Ormoc City Superdome in Leyte.
"These accomplishments you have championed continue to speak of your excellence in service and in governance. With this, once again, I will repeat this Administration’s commitment to support your programs and projects for the betterment of your locality and for our country," he said in his keynote speech.
The event was to commemorate the formal inauguration of Ormoc as a city on Oct. 20, 1947 by virtue of Proclamation 42.
A commemorative stamp issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation was also unveiled during the event.
Marcos expressed appreciation for Ormoc City for being the first locality in Eastern Visayas and 15th in the Philippines to become a city.
He hoped that the Ormoc government would continue pursuing initiatives that will address several pressing issues confronting the country.
"Bearing the zeal and drive for unification, I hope that the city government of Ormoc will bind its people and sustain its programs and projects that are primarily geared to [address] the crisis that we face, that of food security, that of energy supply, and the change in the global climate," he said.
This, as Marcos lauded the local government for implementing the Local Climate Change Action Plan 2016-2025, prioritizing the use of renewable energy, and implementing a social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children.
He also enjoined the Ormoc City government to improve the quality of education in the city.
"When we ensure that the present generation receives quality education and the Filipino people become free from hunger, we can make our lives more comfortable and usher our country to the heights of progress," Marcos said.
Boost vax drive
Marcos urged the local government to ramp up its "PinasLakas" vaccination campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to help the national government maintain the country's wall of immunity and further relax the restrictions amid the pandemic.
He made the call, as he lamented that the booster coverage in the city "remains low."
"I-prioritize natin ang ating health (Let us prioritize our health), so that with renewed vigor and with strength, we can act unrestrained in our efforts to bring forth a better, a brighter, and more united Philippines for everyone," Marcos said.
"'Yung booster uptake dito sa inyo, 33 percent. Pero alam ko, kaya niyong paakyatin iyan (Booster uptake in your city is only 33 percent. But I am confident you can increase the vaccination rate). It is essential that we increase our booster rate to 50 percent para meron tayong tinatawag na (to maintain the) wall of immunity. Magtulungan tayo (Let us help each other)," he added.
Marcos said the commemoration of Ormoc City's founding anniversary as an independent component city is a testament to the "collective resilience and good character of the Ormocanons."
He also thanked the Ormocanons for their "overwhelming support, faith, and trust" in him, as well as for responding to his call for "unity."
"Through your local history and shared experiences, you have assured us all that no matter how uncertain the future remains, we know that your strong sense of solidarity and cooperation will always lead us to greater feats. These are the characteristics of national unity, the national unity that we spoke about for so many months because it is what we badly need to heal our nation from political divide and diversity," he said. (PNA)
