Editorial

City thrives to grow

Cotabato City is growing, not in terms of territorial annexation, but economically… a progression with record-high revenue intake in its annals. Last week, a team from the Chinese Engineering Construction Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the city government for a government and private partnership scheme worth some P4 billion of investments. For us, it’s a local version of “build, build, build” program.

       

If realized and approved by the national government, our city will have its own airport to be located in Barangay Tamontaka 3 and a seaport at Barangay Kalanganan 2, two areas which will open new opportunities and scenario of aggressive landscaping. Alongside are construction of new road networks. These infra building projects alone will already open employment opportunities and then other stakes upon their completion… hopefully, we pray.

       

Already, the city is growing with the entry of new investments the past two years which have provided its residents the needed employment generation. It has reaped added revenues, hence, its annual budget has grown and nears the P1 billion mark. More revenues mean better social and economic services for the populace… we pray for the worth they reap.

       

New investments have their accompaniments --- opening of more allied services and generation of more livelihood and employment opportunities… we pray for our social and economic well-being.

       

When new structures are opened, new frontiers are borne, and new settings expand. Population, too, may grow as our city would attract new comers (migrants) because of the growing opportunities, hence, more vital services have to be built and expanded. We also expect the rise of professional staffs to manage specialized services.

       

With its growth, the city has to open the peripheries to accommodate new commerce and industries and huge infrastructures. New openings, of course, will result to hikes in realty cost and lands will become assets for the “build, build, build” version of our local government… we pray for the progression.

       

More openings and with a more secured setting mean more movers coming in… we pray also for appropriate environmental planning and protection for safer and peaceful habitat for the populace.