THE INQUIRER is coming out today with the 12th in its series on people’s pressing concerns that should be high on the agenda of candidates for representative, governor or mayor in the May 9 elections. The series should help voters in the provinces choose their leaders wisely. In line with our “ThINQ. Vote.” advocacy, we have asked candidates in certain provinces, cities and congressional districts to outline their concrete plans of action in dealing with specific issues in their areas.
Interviews and photos by Jigger Jerusalem
Profile: Cagayan de Oro City
CAGAYAN DE ORO, with an area of 56,966.8435 hectares, is the largest city in Northern Mindanao. Its territorial size is 3.4 percent of the region and 15.96 percent of the province of Misamis Oriental. It is the second highest-ranking urban settlement in Mindanao and is considered the most important center of a growth corridor on the northern coast of the island.
Spanning a 187-kilometer strip and covering about 3,100 square kilometers, the Cagayan-Iligan Corridor has about 1.06 million residents and is endowed with rich agricultural and natural resources, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board.
Of Cagayan de Oro’s total land area, 35.70 percent is used for agriculture and 12.35 percent for residential purposes.
In 2010, the Philippine Statistics Authority placed the city population at 602,088. The city has 307,266 registered voters.
EDCA
THE LUMBIA AIRFIELD in Barangay Lumbia has been identified as one of the military facilities that American forces will have access to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).
Oscar Moreno (Liberal Party)
Use Lumbia airfield for Edca, but include it in proposed urban expansion site.
Its use by the military is up to the government, but the city should be consulted first.
It is not ideal for an airport and even as a military air base due to its physical limitations (length, height and location).
Rufus Rodriguez (Centrist Democratic Party)
Don’t include Lumbia property in the list of areas under Edca.
Airfield’s ownership should be transferred to the city government.
If Lumbia airfield is under Edca, the city will become a magnet for attack and will be put in danger.
Vicente Emano (Padayon Pilipino/United Nationalist Alliance)
Oppose presence of American troops in the Philippines.
City will become a target for armed aggression once American forces are stationed at Lumbia airfield.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
CAGAYAN DE ORO is among the cities in the country that have been violating Republic Act No. 9003, or the Solid Waste Management Act, for not closing its dump and establishing a sanitary landfill.
Oscar Moreno (Liberal Party)
Dump could not be closed due to non-approval of the solid waste management budget by the city council’s majority bloc.
City Solid Waste Management Board has been organized during his term to assist the city government in addressing the garbage disposal issue.
Use other means to carry out the eventual closure of the dump.
Rufus Rodriguez (Centrist Democratic Party)
No political color in addressing the city’s garbage problem.
Unity needed to solve the solid waste management issue.
Supports closure of present dump and has identified an area for a sanitary landfill.
Vicente Emano (Padayon Pilipino/United Nationalist Alliance)
During his previous term, a lot for a sanitary landfill was bought by the city government, but it was not used by the administration of Mayor Oscar Moreno.
For effective implementation of solid waste management, people must be taught and the government must learn new ways to do it.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION
THE INCREASE in the city’s population has also created a shortage of classrooms.
Oscar Moreno (Liberal Party)
Despite budget cuts, he has ordered the construction of more than 400 classrooms for elementary and high schools in urban and rural barangays in just three years.
Students and the youth have been tapped as members of the city’s special bodies, especially the Local School Board.
Has engaged the youth in community affairs and given them the opportunity to be involved in community building.
Rufus Rodriguez (Centrist Democratic Party)
Included in his 10-point agenda is the establishment of a city public college.
Has plans for the out-of-school youth, such as enrolling them in technical degree courses.
Proposes a youth coordinating council to include other organizations not under the Sangguniang Kabataan.
Vicente Emano (Padayon Pilipino/United Nationalist Alliance)
More than 600 scholars had graduated during his term.
Plans to continue with the college scholarship for poor students.
During his term, Asian Business Cabletow Cooperative Academy was established, offering technical courses to city-funded scholars.