BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Published on The Visayan Daily Star
July 5, 2017

Neophyte politician Marvin Malacon yesterday said there is still a lot to be done for EB Magalona, a year after being in office as the town mayor.

But Malacon said they have accomplished a lot, especially in the delivery of efficient basic social services, collection of taxes, as well as modest gains in the aspect of education, infrastructure, environment, health, among others.

Due to the efficient collection of business and real property taxes, fees and charges as well as economic enterprise, they collected P21,317, 386.32 in taxes, which exceeded their target of collection of P15 million, he added.

In terms of infrastructure, Malacon said they were able to secure the town public plaza by enclosing it with a perimeter fence, concreting of roads within the poblacion, construction of covered court, crisis center, mini rice mill, day care center and video board, communal toilet, hand washing facilities, terminal for tricycle , putting up of potable water system and ATM in front of the municipal hall.

Under social services, the municipal government provided medical and burial assistance to indigent families of the town, and provided vehicles for teachers as well as vendors in the upland areas to transport their products to the poblacion.

The municipal government also facilitated the availment of residential patent program to 97 residents of Brgy. Tomongtong, EB Magalona, which was conferred with a Gold Seal of Good Local Environmental Governance, Malacon said.

He also revealed plans of the town to secure a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank to finance the renovation of the public market and water system.

They also opened the Special Education Center for handicapped students in the poblacion, and Grade 7 in the mountainous barangay of Canlusong, as well as providing financial assistance and school supplies to students, Malacon said, in his accomplishment report.

The construction of a community fish landing is now being started, the report added.

It also said that the municipality is a Sandugo awardee, both in the provincial and regional level, a pilot area for gender friendly facility in Visayas and has been adjudged as an outstanding local government unit in newborn screening, and chosen as official entry to regional Brigada Eskwela.

The municipal government also purchased 2 passenger buses and motorcycles, and acquired a brand new ambulance, and extended social pension for the town senior citizens.

In the peace and order campaign, four its barangays have been declared as drug-cleared and 23 drug personalities have been accounted for, while 176 were arrested for illegal fishing within the territorial waters of EB Magalona.

In community affairs and tourism aspect, they also held the first Ugyonan Seafood Festival, “palipay” during barangay fiesta, creating the town official website, composing the official EB Magalona hymn, aside from the annual Ugyonan Festival, among other related actvities

Malacon attributed the modest accomplishments of the present administration to the cooperation of municipal officials, employees, as well as the town residents, among others.

But he admitted that he only accomplished 50 percent of its targets, as of this time. There is still a lot to done for the Saraviahanons, Malacon added.*