How to use Project NOAH

This Project NOAH website or application software helped us save lives during the last habagat induced by Typhoon Maring.

The beautiful thing about it is -- anyone can access it and be empowered by the timely information it relays. Whether via a desktop, laptop, notebook, netbook, tablet, and smartphone ... you have vital information at your fingertips.

But what happens next after you access the noah.dost.gov.ph website and download the Android or iOS app?

It is really very easy. You just have to familiarize yourself with what "tools" will give you the information you need.

First is to enter the city or location in the Search box.

With the next pulldown menu "Overview", the most used is the MTSAT which shows you a satellite image of the weather disturbance affecting the country. Go ahead click on the others like Rainfall Contour, % Chance of Rain, and others. Explore these items.

The "Weather Outlook" pulldown menu gives you just that -- the weather outlook, the rain forecast, etc. Icons will appear on the Philippine map and just zoom in on the location you are interested in and click on the sun or cloud or whatever icon hovers over that location.

The "Doppler" menu is very helpful in showing you if rainclouds are passing over the location. Ex. for Metro Manila, we click on the Subic and/or Tagaytay Station. The other stations are for areas in Visayas and Mindanao. The clouds on the screen are color-coded on what amount of rain are in those clouds. Please refer to the Color Scale on the sidebar.

The "Weather Stations" menu is the most-used. Personally, I always look up the Stream Gauge and the Rain Gauge. The Stream Gauge shows me the water level of Marikina River and Montalban River. For reference, Marikina LGU only uses the water level at the Sto. Nino Station so we have only one point of reference. I look at the water level of Montalban River because Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director or Project NOAH taught me that what happens in Montalban River mirrors what will happen downstream in Marikina River 2 hours after. So, if Montalban River rises or drops by a meter, you can expect that to happen also to Marikina River.

The next most-used is the Rain Gauge which helps us determine weather the water level will rise or recede some more. For Marikina, we look up the rain gauges in the Marikina Watershed area, namely the ones in Mt. Oro, Montalban (north); Mt. Aries, Antipolo (east); and Bosoboso, Antipolo (southeast). The rain that falls in these mountains will all flow down into the Marikina River. The values shown are taken every 10 mins. so the proper way to read the amount of rainfall per hour is to add all 6 values contained in an hour (mm/hr).

The last menu is the "Flood Map" menu which contains historical flood maps, e.g. 5-100 year floodmaps, Ondoy Flood Map, etc. The most unique feature here are the Flood Inundation Maps of Marikina River, Pasig River and San Juan River. This is in real-time and will show you if water has overflowed the banks of the river and upto where.

I hope this helps you discover how Project Noah can help you, your family, and your community.

Download and explore the Project NOAH website or application now!

Make it Marikina!

Are you on the lookout for a place that is clean and peaceful to reside in or to build your second home?

Are you thinking of setting up a new business and scouting for an area that is safe and ensures generous returns for your investment?

Are you searching for a new place to visit that offers an enjoyable respite or a wholesome leisure time with family and friends at a very affordable price?

Make it Marikina! is a place marketing campaign of the city government of Marikina to attract new residents, additional investments, and more visitors.

Marikina is building on its brand equity as a dynamic governance model having recently been adjudged as one of the Top Ten Most Competitive Cities and among the Top Three in Economic Dynamism by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) of Guillermo Luz.

It is hoped that the success of Make it Marikina! will further expand the tax base and market base of the city and make it more economically dynamic in terms of business registrations, employment, and financial institutions.

More taxes paid to the government means more funds for development projects that improve the way of life of Marikenyos, thus attracting more well-to-do families into relocating in Marikina. This results in more customers for local products and services, and, more highly skilled people entering the labor force. This productive cycle contributes to Marikina’s growth – a vibrant local economy and residents with more disposable income.

Actually, the Make it Marikina! place marketing campaign, conceptualized three years ago (2010), is also a challenge to the city government to ensure continuity of its good governance best practices at a time when the new administration of Mayor Del R. De Guzman, Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz, and Rep. Miro Quimbo took over the reins of government from the Fernandos with their “Tunay na Kaunlaran, Tao Naman” governance philosophy.

Anticipating operational slack in the transition period, Make it Marikina! was launched to bridge the gap.

The success of Make it Marikina! in attracting new residents, additional investments and more visitors will be used as a measure to gauge the effectiveness of the programs of the city government.

There is a very logical rationale for this. The real measure of good governance is if you are able to convince other people – those from outside – to live in your city, to invest in your city, and to visit your city for some rest and relaxation.

It is a de facto stamp of approval.

Many people can claim that theirs is the best in terms of local governance – but if people do not want to live, do business, and visit your city … then, no amount of self-glorification will enhance your image and positioning.

Recently, a “Make it Makati” campaign was launched by Ayala Land, I believe, for their new township development at the Santa Ana Racetrack. It eventually evolved into something similar to “Make it Marikina!”  This campaign by the private sector and its eventual adoption by the city is a validation that Marikina is on the right track and doing the right thing.

The quality of life in Marikina has improved a lot with each administration contributing to how the city has been looked upon as a model by other local governments.

But real prosperity and development for me is when Marikina becomes the preferred city for new residents … new investors … and visitors by 2019.

There is so much more to discover about Marikina inspite of the many positive testimonials already heaped on it.

Place marketing is a highly competitive undertaking because there are thousands of cities and municipalities jostling and positioning for your attention and hoping to influence your decision as to where to relocate and reside, where to invest and set up shop, and where to visit.

With Marikina, you can’t go wrong … a Galing Pook hall of famer in several categories as awarded by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) because of its people – disciplined, productive, and friendly.

Marikina is clean, peaceful and orderly; has productive and industry-friendly residents; and is a joy to visit because it is a walk-able and bike-friendly city.

What’s more – it is your city because you come first.

See for yourself and experience how people are valued in a place where its “Tunay na kaunlaran, tao naman” governance philosophy is truly lived.

Come on, folks, Make it Marikina!

Promote destinations one at a time

SKYJET CEO, Dr. Joel Mendoza, and his BAe-146 (British Aerospace) jet service to our sociocultural destinations.

A top official of the country’s youngest airline appealed to tourism officials and stakeholders to come together for the sake of the country and pool resources on a focused approach at marketing new destinations.

Dr. Joel Mendoza, chief executive officer of Skyjet Airlines, said that our country has more exotic destinations aside from Boracay and Palawan that the world has yet to discover.

“Caramoan was just another one of our taken for granted gems until Survivor raved about it. Many foreign travel wholesalers believed in its potential and we now have more foreigners coming over,” said Mendoza, lamenting the fact that foreign travelers are more aware about Caramoan’s allure than Filipinos in our own country.

The young airline executive believes that our country would be able to expand our market base faster if the world hears about and sees more of our other national assets than the usual Boracay.

“We have 7,107 islands! There is more to the Philippines than Boracay and Palawan,” Mendoza said, adding that we can decongest these destinations by promoting new ones.

The Skyjet CEO appealed to Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez to cure this imbalance by promoting new destinations by focusing on a particular destination one at a time, “Why don’t government, the private sector, and media agree on coming together for the greater good of our country and use shared resources to focus promotions on let’s say Caramoan next year, Siargao in 2015, etc?

Mendoza believes that this is one way to achieve the much-touted inclusive growth of the Aquino administration where more communities benefit from our country’s national assets. Recent employment data released by the government showed that economic growth did not trickle down to the poor and did not translate to more jobs for the unemployed.

It is said that tourism has a domino effect because it produces more jobs and livelihood opportunities for the communities that hosts tourist attractions. More visitors mean more people needed to service them, more food consumed, more places to sleep in, more souvenir items to buy, and so on and so forth.

Skyjet offers jet service to Batanes, Virac, Busuanga, and Surigao using a fleet of BAe 146 “whispering jets” which are capable of Short Take Off and Landings (STOL). Skyjet also flies to Caticlan and Catarman soon.

Trivia: Do you know that fish oil lowers high blood pressure?

Fish oil is a dietary supplement that gained popularity because of its ability to lower high cholesterol, which is a common concern among Filipinos.  

However, are you aware that fish oil also helps fight high blood pressure?  Consider that your trivia for today. 

Fish oil helps fight blood pressure because of the generous supply of omega-3 fatty acids that it contains.  Omega-3 fatty acids are a fusion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  

However, it is mainly EPA that is healthy for blood pressure because it helps your body create eicosanoids, which are hormone-like substances that act as blood thinners and have the capacity to fight inflammation.  Through it, your heart will not have any trouble pumping blood all throughout your system because it can flow efficiently. 

High blood pressure is a condition that many Filipinos face today.  It may be due to diet or stressful lifestyle; ageing or some medical condition.  Whatever it is that is causing high blood pressure, taking fish oil that is rich in EPA will definitely help.  

After all, high blood pressure should never be ignored because it may lead to more serious medical problems such as coronary heart disease, enlarged left heart, heart failure, aneurysm and the list goes on.

FIGHTS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE 

The thing is, our body is incapable of producing its own Omega-3 fatty acids.  That is why we rely solely on our diet to supply it to us.  The question is, how much fish do you consume in a week?  Is it giving you the recommended dose of omega-3 that your body needs to stay healthy?  

Considering the diet of the average Filipino, chances are your body is deprived of the very much needed supplement.  It is a good thing that your daily dose of fish oil can now be found in a bottle.

GNC Live Well’s Triple Strength Fish Oil is like nothing else that you can find in the market.  

That is because it has 900 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in a single softgel.  That will definitely supply the daily dose of omega-3 that your body needs to fight high blood pressure brought about by stress, lifestyle and even age.  

You can be sure of its efficacy because it is made only from the best deep sea herbivorous fish that gives the highest quality fish oil.  

Because it is made by GNC, Triple Strength Fish Oil has undergone 150 quality checks guaranteeing its potency.  

Visit your nearest GNC store now and discover how fish oil can help fight high blood pressure.

Burn More Calories When You Exercise

Have you noticed that it is more difficult to burn calories as you become older?

This is not intended to bruise your ego or shake your confidence, but you may lose those abdominal muscles to flab if you think exercising alone is enough to maintain your weight and keep you in shape.

According to WebMD, the metabolism of an average person declines from 5% to 10% per decade once he or she hits the age of 25. 

That means that over the course of a lifetime, a person stands to lose 20% to 40% of his or her metabolic rate.  Coupled with lack of exercise and the wrong diet, the quality of life of people suffers as they age due to poor weight management.

To counter the decrease in one’s metabolic capacity due to age, GNC Total Lean Burn 60 combines the power of guarana seed extract, black tea leaves, grape skin and seed extract, ginger root extract and dill weed extract. 

Clinically researched and statistically proven effective, GNC Total Lean Burn 60 is a thermogenic supplement which is intended to increase your metabolic rate by as much as 60% while providing you with more energy to give your workout a boost. 

The caffeine content of the guarana seed extract assures a surge of energy during workouts, resulting to extended endurance and intensity during workouts; black tea leaves assists in digestion, weight loss and metabolism; MegaNatural grape skin and seed extract not only works as a powerful antioxidant but also as an appetite suppressant. 

According to a research conducted by the Maastricht University in the Netherlands; ginger root extract helps regulate body fluid and reduce bloating; and dill weed extract keeps the body’s cholesterol level under check even as it aids digestion. All these nutrients are found in one tablet of Burn 60, making it an effective weight management supplement.

To drop the extra pounds and shed unwanted body fat, trust only GNC’s expertly formulated supplements.  Tried, tested and trusted by many weight watchers, defy metabolic degeneration and burn more as you workout with GNC Total Lean Burn 60.  

Available only in GNC stores nationwide.

State of the City Address of Mayor Del R. De Guzman

MAYOR DEL R. DE GUZMAN

STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

4^th Regular Session of the 6^th City Council of Marikina

9 January 2013

Epekto ng Ondoy at 50% discount sa buwis ang dinatnan namin nina Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz at Congressman Miro Quimbo nang maupo kami sa puwesto nung July 2010.

Kung kaya’t sa panahon na nasa calamity mode pa tayo ay siya namang pilay ang kakayanan natin dahil sa laking kabawasan natin sa pondo.

Pero tutuo ang kasabihan na may oportunidad sa bawat krisis kasi nabigyan naman tayo ng pagkakataon itong nakaraang tatlong taon para madiskubre muli ng Marikina ang ating habag at pakikipagkapwa tao. Marikina rediscovered its humanity – as a city and as a people.

Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayu-tayo ring mga Marikenyo?

Kaya tanggap ko lang kung may pagbabatikos dahil klaro naman sa akin ang misyon namin sa pamahalaan sa panahon na pare-pareho pa tayong bumabangon mula sa long-term effect ng state of calamity. In times of crises, we have to take care of each other.

Yan ang natutunan ko sa aking mga magulang. Yan din ang natutunan ko sa Boy Scouts. Isinasabuhay ko lang yung “… to help other people at all times” na rinerecite namin sa Boy Scouts Oath. Ito kasi ang naging guiding principle ko sa aking dalawampung apat na taon sa public service.

Marami naman sa atin ang pamilyar sa panata, di ba? Tulad ngayon na kasabay ng aking kaarawan ang Pista ng Nazareno. Milyun-milyon ang nagpapakahirap diyan bilang pagtupad sa aming mga panata.

Para sa akin ang isang panata ay sagrado … ang isang sinumpaan ay tinutupad at sinasabuhay!

Akmang-akma nga ang Tunay na Kaunlaran, Tao Naman na governance philosophy natin sa pangangailangan ng panahon. Kaya’t minabuti ko na dito sa Marikina Sports Park ganapin ang aking taunang ulat sa bayan para naman makasama ko kayo – ang  mga taong malapit sa aking puso at naging malaking bahagi ng aking buhay.

Marami sa inyo na nandirito ngayon mula sa hanay ng gobyerno at mga komunidad ay mga kasama ko pa mula noong ako ay isang youth leader, naging konsehal nung 1988, vice mayor nung 1992, congressman nung 2001, at ngayon naman bilang punong lungsod.. Malalim-lalim na ang ating pinagsamahan at malayu-layo na rin ang narating ng samahang iyan.

Kung susumahin, dalawampung apat na taon na public service. Twenty four years of meaningful and fruitful partnership.

Ito namang nakaraang 2012, ito po ang resulta ng ating pagtutulungan:

§  Dahil sa husay ng Sapatos Festival Committee, na-overshoot nang 86% ang unang sales target na P20 million at naging P37.2 million! Hindi lang bumalik ang recognition ng Marikina bilang Shoe Capital dahil sa tagumpay ng Sapatos Festival, kinikilala pa tayo ngayon bilang Sports Hub at Bike Capital ng Pilipinas.

§  Patuloy ang paggawad sa Marikina ng iba’t ibang parangal. Sa taong 2012, apat ang ating natanggap mula sa DOH at sa WHO Healthy Cities. Suki na talaga ang ating City Health Office sa mga awards ng DOH. At ito lamang Lunes ay meron na naman tayong Good Housekeeping Award – pangalawa na ito mula sa DILG. Kung yung una ay bronze, ngayon naman ay Silver award na. Maliban sa kinikilala ang Marikina sa galing natin sa conceptualization at implementation ng mga programa – ngayon, pati na sa government transparency at accountability.

§  Madali tayong nakabangon sa baha ng Habagat.  Dahil sa foresight at pakikipagtulungan ng mga private contractors at volunteer groups, dalawang linggo lang ay naibalik na natin ang kaayusan sa ating lungsod.

§  Ang mga bagong gusali ng PLMar, CICL, at Legislative Building ay nasimulan na at inaasahang matatapos ngayong taon. Sa pasukan sa Hunyo ay magagamit na ang 72 classrooms ng PLMar Phase I.

§  May state of the art traffic lights with countdown timer na tayo sa Sumulong-Shoe Avenue at Sumulong-Gil Fernando.

§  Patuloy ang CEMO sa mga innovative at effective environmental programs nito kaya pinupuri at ginagaya ng ibang bayan.

§  Nakapaglaan tayo ng Educational Assistance sa 1,500 mag-aaral upang masiguro ang pagpapatuloy ng kanilang pag-aaral.

§  Ang Office of the Vice Mayor naman ay kinilala ng Dangerous Drugs Board dahil sa pagpapatupad ng pinaka-epektibong Drug Education Program sa buong bansa. Sa tulong ng Kalinga Party List ay inihahanda na ang konstruksyon ng dalawang palapag na bagong Marikina Rehabilitation Center na mayroong pasilidad na tutugon sa pangangailangan sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nagugumon sa droga.

§  Muli kong pinupuri at pinasasalamatan ang 6^th City Council sa pangunguna ni Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz sa mga ordinansa at mga resolusyon na pinasa nila para lalo pang palakasin ang ating peace and order at fiscal capabilities.

§  Pinasasalamatan ko rin ang ating dalawang magiting na Congressmen Marcy Teodoro at Miro Quimbo sa kanilang mahusay na performance sa Kongreso at sa mga iba’t ibang proyektong kanilang naisakatuparan sa nakaraang taon.

§  Pinasasalamatan ko rin ang lahat ng Department Heads na kahit nag-aadjust pa sa kaibahan ng nakasanayan ng management style ay lumabas pa rin ang kanilang anking abilidad at ekperiyensa sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno.

§  Sa mga Kapitan at Kagawad ng Barangay, maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy at aktibong pakikiisa sa kabila ng malaki ninyong kakulangan sa pondo.

Ngayong 2013, sa silver anniversary ng aking pagsisilbi sa publiko, asahan nyo na patuloy kong tutulungan ang bawat mamamayan na karapat-dapat matulungan. Hindi po ito dole-out, pantawid gutom lang po ito para sa ating mga kababayan na kailangan lang ng oportunidad para makabangon ulit. Pero, hindi po natin kukunsintihin ang mga pasaway!

While we will continue to be compassionate, we will be firm in our enforcement.

Ngayon pa lang, inaatasan ko na ang :

§  City Social Welfare and Development  Office na siguraduhin na walang nagsasamantala sa ating tulong para klaro sa lahat na hindi natin kinukunsinte ang culture of mendicancy dito sa Marikina.

§  Sa Center for Excellence at sa Marikina Livelihood Training Center, tulungan nyo na maragdagan ang kita at ang mga kumikita sa bawat pamilya. Equip them with additional knowledge and skills to increase their chances of getting hired or succeeding in a business.

§  Sa Labor Relations and Public Employment Services Office -- na triplehin ang bilang ng mga residente na nabibigyan natin ng  regular na trabaho.

§  At sa City Council, hinihiling ko na makapagpasa ng mga ordinansa para siguraduhin na di tayo biktimahin ng mga taong pinatuloy natin sa ating mga settlement sites. Mahirap naman yung kinukupkop na natin ay paulit-ulit pang gumagawa ng krimen dito sa ating minamahal na lungsod.

Maaaring napapansin ninyo na unti-unting nawawala ang kinang ng ilan sa ating best practices sa good governance? May mga pasaway na vendors at mga sampayan sa bangketa, muling nagpaparamdam ang mga nakahubad sa lansangan, at maingay muli ang mga videoke sa dis-oras ng gabi. Mali yata ang pagkakaintindi ng iba nating kasama sa pilosopiyang “Tunay na Kaunlaran, Tao Naman.”

Nakakalungkot na ang dali naman nating binitawan ang isang bukod-tanging yaman ng Marikina na nais tularan ng ibang bayan.

Dapat nating itama agad ang kamaliang ito at manumbalik dapat ang kaayusan at displina sa Marikina para na rin sa ating kapakanan. Marami pa tayong krisis na haharapin sa mga darating na taon. Pero malaki ang ating tsansa na malagpasan ang mga ito, kung tulad ng dati, haharapin natin ito nang may pinagsamang lakas.

Lalo na kung nalalapit na ang aking pangako na “tunay na kaunlaran.”

Ano ba ang tunay na kaunlaran?

Real prosperity and development for me is when Marikina becomes the preferred city for new residents … new investors … and visitors by 2019.

Kaya’t kung napansin ninyo noong 2011 lumabas ang “Make it Marikina!” bilang positioning statement natin. Preparasyon ito para sa ating vision for 2019.

Ang Make it Marikina! ay isang place marketing campaign para maka-attract tayo ng mga bagong residente, karagdagang negosyo, at mas maraming turista sa Marikina.

Sa tunay na kaunlaran, lahat tayo panalo. Lahat tayo makikinabang.

Pagsikapan natin na magtagumpay ang kampanyang ito dahil malaki ang maia-ambag nito sa kaban ng ating lungsod.

Ito ay paraan para dumami ang magbabayad ng buwis at dumami ang mangangailangan ng goods and services sa isang lugar. Expanding the tax base and the market base ang benepisyong idudulot nito.

Kung mas marami ang nagbabayad ng sapat na buwis, mas maraming pondo ang pamahalaan para sa mga proyekto nito. Pag mas maraming may capacity to pay o disposable income, lalago ang negosyo at mas malaki ang buwis na kanilang babayaran.

Kung inyong iisipin, paano mo ba talaga malalaman kung epektibo ang ginagawa mo or tama ang ginagawa ng namumuno sa pamamalakad ng isang lungsod?

Para sa akin, ang batayan ng good governance ay kung makumbinse mo ang ibang tao (outsiders) na tumira sa lugar mo … na magnegosyo sa inyo … at, magliwaliw at gumastos sa mga pasyalan ninyo. Ibang klase pag iba ang pumupuri sa iyo o nagpapatotoo tungkol sa mga positibong bagay ng bayan mo. Tama po ba?

Maraming puwede mag-claim na tama ang kanilang pamamalakad – pero kung ayaw tumira, mamuhunan, o mamasyal ang mga tao sa inyo … walang ibig sabihin ang lahat ng pagbubuhat natin ng sariling bangko.

Lahat ng ating nagawa, lahat ng awards na ating tinanggap ay walang saysay kung di naman ito magbibigay daan sa pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya.

Malaking-malaki na ang inunlad ng ating pamumuhay o quality of life dahil sa malaking kontribusyon ng mga nakaraang punong lungsod.

At dahil diyan at sa brand equity ng Marikina, naniniwala ako na maraming gusto ring matikman ang sinasabing quality of life na yan nating mga Marikenyo. But we have to do our homework first!

Sa ating Vice Mayor at mga konsehal, mga department heads, at mga barangay officials … i-incorporate nyo na ang “Make it Marikina!” sa inyong mga future plans and programs para iisa lang ang direksyon ng ating pamamalakad.

Ilan sa ating mga proyekto na gagawin at sisimulan ngayong 2013:

To attract new residents

Kung gusto nating maraming middle to upper class families manirahan dito sa atin, kailangan maibsan ang kanilang mga pangamba sa baha at kriminalidad.

§  Patuloy ang representation natin sa national government para sa dredging, water containment dams, at iba pang flood control projects at disaster mitigation programs.

§  Sinisimulan na natin at ng DPWH ang Road Dike na magdudugtong ng Bgy. Tumana sa Bgy. Nangka. Although by phase ito, ang pangako sa akin ay tatapusin natin ito in two years.

§  Subsidize building permit fees para sa mga nakatira sa danger zones na gagamit ng adaptive architecture sa kanilang construction at renovations.

§  Continued Drainage improvement and clearing of waterways.

§  Bagong opisina para sa Marikina Riverpark Office at Marikina Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. Kailangan high-tech ang ating war room para ito na ang kukunan ng media at hindi na ang ating ilog.

§  Sa PNP, gawing mas epektibo ang kampanya laban sa krimen para manumbalik ang katahimikan sa Marikina. At kung kakailanganin iimplement ang 3-strike policy ay gagawin natin kung yan ang kailangan.

§  Para ligtas ang ating mga lansangan, dadagdagan pa natin ang pa-ilaw sa mga madidilim na kalye at magpapakabit tayo ng CCTV cameras sa mga strategic na lugar para mabawasan ang krimen. Kaya’t naglaan pa tayo ng karagdagang P12 million para sa pa-ilaw.

§  Pangarap ko na kahit ang mga reckless driver ay biglang umaayos pagdating sa boundary ng Marikina. CTMDO, gawin ninyong parang Subic ang Marikina pagdating sa traffic compliance ng mga motorista.

§  Sa edukasyon, lalo pa nating palalakasin ang kapabilidad ng lahat ng antas – pati na sa Special Education o SPED – na makapagbigay ng quality education para maging competitive sa workforce ang mga graduates nito.

§  Sa kalusugan, iba-ibang equipment para i-augment ang Lying-In clinics ni Cong. Quimbo at mga health centers natin.

§  Iniutos ko na ang pagdistribute ng 100,000 transistor radios para sa DEL Radio nang sa ganun lahat ng bahay ay well-informed sa ating mga programa at madali nating ma-warningan pag may disaster.

§  Kung papalarin ay makukuha rin natin ang 1206 kHz frequency ng dating MMDA Radio sa tulong ng PCGG at kung ma-donate sa atin ni Chairman Francis Tolentino ang mga dating equipment nito, abot na sa buong Metro Manila ang ating DEL Radio.

To attract new investments

§  Creation of a separate Trade and Investment Office and Cultural and Tourism Office.

§  Maximize government assets by converting them into more productive use that spur investments.

§  Pagtatayo ng Kabuhayan Center o Trade Fair Building na nagkakahalaga ng P15 million sa dating Tambay Kay Lim.

§  Maghikayat tayo ng mga bagong investors na magtayo ng sports facilities at modern sports venues dito sa Marikina para ma-complement ang Marikina Sports Park.

To attract more visitors

Mayroon tayong tatlong taon na preparasyon para maging kaaya-aya ang ating sports tourism program, ang Marikina Riverpark, at ang ating bikeways at greenways. Sulit naman buhusan ng pondo ang mga ganitong programa kasi mag-gegenerate din naman sila ng revenue para sa bayan. Ito ay bahagi ng ating programa.

§  Napakalaki ng potensyal ng sports tourism kaya’t bubuo tayo ng programa para palakasin ang ating pagiging Sports Hub para lalong dayuhin at mas malaki ang kitain ng ating Sports Park at iba pang sports facilities.

§  Ilunsad natin ang Marikina Bikeways and Greenways sa tulong ng Ateneo School of Government, Rockefeller Foundation at Asian Development Bank. Kasama dito ang bike share program, bike tours ng heritage sites, extension ng bikelanes hanggang Eastwood City at Katipunan Avenue. Mag organize din tayo ng pledging session para sa corporate sponsors na tutulong na marehabilitate natin ang existing bikeways.

§  Ang pangarap ko para sa Marikina Riverpark ay maging parang Boat Quay at Clarke Quay ito sa Singapore na dinadayo ng mga turista. Kasama na sa plano ang Canopy Walk, mas exciting na Animal Trail, floating swimming pool, e-jeeps sa magkabilang pampang, may mga branded international food chains at bars, atbp.

Kung ang Make it Marikina! ang nagbibigay buhay sa ating pangarap na dumami ang mga may kaya na gustong manirahan, magnegosyo at mamasyal dito sa atin … Ang Serbisyo 24 naman ang paraan kung papaano natin makakamit ang pangarap na ito.

Kailangang ayusin muna natin ang ating tahanan bago mag-imbita tayo ng mga bisita.

Lalo pa natin ayusin ang basic services. Magtatalaga tayo ng mga bagong mamumuno at ililipat natin ang ilang department heads kung saan higit silang nababagay at makakatulong.

Sa Serbisyo Beinte Kuwatro, maramdaman ng tao na maaasahan nila ang pamahalaan sa oras ng peligro. Anumang oras iyon.

Round the clock service … ito ang Serbisyo Beinte Kuwatro. Reliable at consistent … yan ang Serbisyo Beinte Kuwatro.

Bawat oras, serbisyo sa tao. Ito ang aking buhay. Ito ang aking isinabuhay nitong nakaraang dalawampung apat na taon. Ika nga, serbisyo beinte kuwatro.

Ang Serbisyo 24 ay “compassionate yet firm” enforcement ng mga batas at ordinansa na bahagi na ng ating “way of life” dito sa Marikina.

Kap. Odie Francisco … yan ang Serbisyo 24! Mainam na rin na ipangalan ng Konseho kay Kap. Odie ang Bayanbayanan Avenue bilang pagkilala sa kanyang serbisyo sa ating bayan.

Serbisyo 24! Ito ang panata ng lokal na pamahalaan sa mga naninirahan at nagnenegosyo dito sa Marikina. Serbisyo 24! At inaasahan ko rin na ito ay magiging panata ng bawat isang opisyal at kawani ng city government. Serbisyo 24!

Kung inyong iisipin, ang Serbisyo 24 ay pagsasabuhay ng madalas nating binibigkas kada Lunes sa Panunumpa ng Isang Lingkod Bayan …

“Ako’y isang lingkod-bayan /  katungkulan ko ang maglingkod / nang buong katapatan at kahusayan / at makatulong sa katatagan at kaunlaran ng aking bayan.

Magiging bahagi ako / ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa pamahalaan / at magiging halimbawa ako / ng isang mamamayang masunurin / at nagpapatupad ng mga umiiral na batas at alituntunin / nang pantay-pantay at walang kinikilingan

Magsisikap akong patuloy na maragdagan / ang aking kabatiran at

kaalaman / ang bawat sandali ay ituturing kong gintong butil / na gagawin kong kapaki-pakinabang.

Lagi kong isasaalang-alang ang interes ng nakararami / bago ang

pansarili kong kapakanan / isusulong ko ang mga programang mag-aangat / sa antas ng kabuhayan ng mga mahihirap / at aktibo akong makikibahagi / para sa mga dakilang layunin sa lipunan.

Hindi ako magiging bahagi / at isisiwalat ko ang anumang katiwalian / na makakaabot sa aking kaalaman / sa lahat ng panahon / aking pagsisikapang makatugon / sa hamon sa lingkod bayan. / ang lahat ng ito / para sa ating Dakilang Lumikha / at sa ating bayan / kasihan nawa ako ng Panginoon.”

Ang sumpang ito ang aking panata sa sambayanan ng Marikina.

Sisiguraduhin ko sa inyo na ang sumpang ito … ang panatang ito … ay seseryosohin at isasabuhay ng bawat opisyal at empleyado ng munisipyo.

Tandaan ninyo, ang panata ay sagrado at tinutupad.

Ngayon … pwede naman ba … na ako naman ang maglambing sa inyo?

Kailangan kong muli ang tulong ninyo. Marami kasi ang nagsasabi na masyado raw mabait si Mayor Del at dahil dito marami daw ang umaabuso. Isa raw itong kahinaan – weakness ko raw ito. Pero, naniniwala ako na ito ang ating lakas. Lalo na kung pagbibigyan ninyo ako sa aking kahilingan. Puwede po bang maging ehemplo o modelo sa pagtupad sa ating mga batas at mga ordinansa ang bawat isa sa inyo?

Sinasabi nila na kung si Pacquiao daw ay may laban … walang krimen na nagaganap sa kalunsuran. Tama po ba ito?  So, hindi naman siguro kalabisan kung dahil sa ating matagal na pinagsamahan at pagrespeto sa isa’t isa ay kayo mismo ang mangunguna sa pagtupad sa ating mga batas at ordinansa?

Maaasahan ko ba ito galing sa hanay ng mga Batang Coop? Maasahan ko ba ito sa hanay ng OK Del Movement? Lapiang Liberal sa Marikina?

Yan naman ang panata ninyo sa ating bayan at sa mga kapwa nating Marikenyo!

Tandaan ninyo, ang panata ay sagrado at isinasabuhay. Nagkakaintindihan po ba tayo?

Kung gayon, sa araw na ito na tayo ay nagpalitan ng panata … ito na ang huling araw ng padrino system sa Marikina! Tigilan na natin ang padrino system sa Marikina bilang kontribusyon natin sa tuwid na daan ng ating Pangulong Aquino.

Sa mga opisyal at empleyado ng munisipyo – ang marching orders ko … pairalin ang batas nang walang kinatatakutan o kinikilingan. Nandito ako sa likod ninyo!

Sa mga residente, homeowners at community associations, mga taong pinagsilbihan ko na nang 24 na taon – kailangan ko ang inyong pagmamalasakit na manguna sa pagsunod sa batas … maaasahan ko ba kayo?

Gawin nating partnership ang Serbisyo 24 – dahil dito sa Marikina, pati ang mga mamamayan ay nagsisilbi rin sa kanilang kapwa Marikenyo!

Isantabi na natin ang mga dahilan ng ating mga di pag-uunawaan. Panahon na para makiisa at magmalasakit muli!

Bale-wala ang lahat ng ating pinagsisikapan – kung tayo ay di magkaisa bilang mga Marikenyo. Panahon na para sumulong bilang sangkatauhan. Iba-iba man ang ating politika at paniniwala, may panahon sa buhay ng bawat tao na kailangang isantabi ang mga dahilan ng ating dibisyon para humugot ng lakas mula sa mas may saysay na pangitain at layunin.

Bukas ang aking pinto. Mag-usap tayo. Hindi ko kaya mag-isa ito. Kailangan ko ang tulong ninyo.

The time has come for us to roll up our sleeves, serve our people well; and welcome new residents, more investors, and visitors – TOGETHER. For the greater good of Marikina!

Maraming, maraming salamat po!