City LGU pushes socio-econ dev’t.

DEVELOPMENT DRIVEN --- Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi is determined to push socio economic development agenda to further boost the economy and the lives of local residents with the implementation of various programs and projects of the city government. (ANNE ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

COTABATO CITY --- The city government of Cotabato continues to push itsdevelopment agenda to further boost the economy and improve the lives of the residents.

City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said they conducted recently a meeting with theSangguniangPanlungsodmembers for an exchanged discussion on the development thrusts of the local government.

“We talked about certain programs of the city government and presented our direction in the next two years. We will also give them updates once our various projects will be completed,” she said.

The mayor has also revealed that a new road network will be implementedby a foreign investor. Aside from this, she added, there will also be improvement in the economic zone, specifically on the seaport and airport.

“We prefer Cotabato City as an alternative of the airport’s Terminal 2 and it will be in Kalanganan 2. For all we know, the current airport situated in Awang isn’t ideal for expansion,” she said.

Guiani-Sayadi explained that they hired urban planners and experts in that field to prepare the feasibility study for submission to the foreign investors.

On traffic issue, the local chief executive said that since the Traffic Consciousness Month is fast approaching, there will be major transformation as they are about to implement the upgraded traffic code.

“We have a new Traffic Management Unit head in the person of Amil Ismael. I already gave him proper instructions. We believe that with the new traffic code, our traffic situation shall further improve. Let us observe within a month on the effects of our new scheme. If the situation does not improve, then let’s amend the law. Therefore, we are asking on the full cooperation not only of our drivers but also of our commuters,” said Guiani-Sayadi.

Aside from the one-way traffic scheme, the city government shall also implement the “no parking” policy in some areas, most especially in the highway area.

“With the ongoing road widening project along Governor Gutierrez Avenue, we would like to thank the local residents for being cooperative,” she said.

In addition, Guiani-Sayadi said a housing project is also one big priority of the city government.

The mayor said she is currently on talks with some potential investors who are willing help solve the housing problem of the residents.“I am more concerned about low cost housing.Our urban poor should have decent homes. While we are attracting investors inviting them to come to Cotabato city, we should not also forget that people should have permanent homes.”

Meanwhile, the city government is still on massive campaign against illegal drugs.

“We seek help not only from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine Army, but also from the reservists and barangay tanods. In addition, we also seek the aid of our constituents to be vigilant in their communities,” said Guiani-Sayadi.

As part of community awareness, the mayor said they have been conducting series of drug awareness trainings among elementary pupils.

“We are seeing here long-term plan. With proper education against the dangers of illegal drugs, it can be of help to these kids,” she said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA– MINDANAO EXPOSE’)