By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY, January 13 (PIA) – In her State of the City Address (SOCA) yesterday
(January 12), Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar finally shared a feasible
and promising vision for the city: “A world-class Zamboanga.”
“As we expand Zamboanga City, we not only look at a 3-year plan, but
prepare the city for the next 30 and 50 years. We ask ourselves, where do we
envision Zamboanga City to go?” said the mayor.
Among the many priority programs which were endorsed by the Regional
Development Council include a world class seaport to be located at the
Zamboanga Ecozone and Freeport Authority, and the long-awaited transfer of the
Zamboanga International Airport, to which the mayor received much applause.
“The transfer of the airport is number one in the list, which means that
the project will start within the timeframe,” Mayor Climaco-Salazar said. The
said airport will be located in barangay Mercedes-Talabaan, and is projected to
be completed within six years.
According to the lady chief executive, the city is due to be
“redesigned” and “extended” towards Mercedes, Talabaan, Zambowood, Culianan and
Boalan. Stakeholders that include representatives from both local and national
government agencies, non-government organizations and civil society groups
opined that these developments may well solve the congestion problem in the
city, and pave new opportunities for business and economic growth outside the
city proper’s 7-kilometer radius.
“We entered into a contract with Palafox and associates who will work in
the updating of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the Comprehensive Development
Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance. Let us take the opportunity of the expertise of
Architect Jun Palafox to bring into reality our vision of a world-class
Zamboanga!” said Mayor Climaco-Salazar.
In her report, she pointed out radical developments in the city, in
spite of falling victim to the infamous 2013 Zamboanga siege. “We have built
back better,” she emphasized, saying that Zamboanga looks to be more promising
and more resilient than ever.
The mayor outlined the increase in local revenues, the presence of new
businesses like CityMall and KCC, the creation of thousands of new jobs, and
the influx of tourists, among others.
“The sleeping giant of Mindanao has awakened,” she stressed, saying that
Zamboanga City now is more than ready to be at par, or even best other cities
in the country and all over the world.
The mayor also emphasized everyone’s vigilance to maintain peace and
security in the region, saying that every resident has a stake in ensuring
peace and order.
“Threats still remain, and we need to strengthen our defenses. Denying a
safe haven for terrorists is a shared responsibility,” she said.
Mayor Climaco-Salazar said that without the support of the different
sectors, the achievements would not have been possible. “We want everyone to
contribute to this dream that we all aspire for.”
