Lobregat unfazed by “hate campaign”; focused on job
As the election period draws near, administration critics intensify their advocacy to discredit the city’s chief executive on issues they believe can help twist support and ensure their victory in the May 10 elections.
But Mayor Celso Lobregat is not intimidated by the volley of criticisms and vilifications but remains focused on his tasks to serve the constituents who gave him the mandate to be the person in charge and leader.
With a splendid track record of performance, vast experience and the capability, Mayor Lobregat believes that his decisions and policies are done and implemented with prudence, caution and patience; in accordance with existing rules and regulations and most importantly for the benefit of the greater majority.
“Ese ta hace sila kampania di ila is hate campaign, si ta oi tu kanila nuay cosa bueno ya hace el administracion”, (What they are doing is a hate campaign, they are insinuating that this administration has not done anything good), Mayor Lobregat said over radio station DXXX when asked to comment on information, wrongly fed to the public by other groups.
The over P2 billion worth of infrastructure projects, implemented from 2007-2009, are gladly welcomed by the residents in the barangays and the target sectors, he said. “Maga vivientes hinde ta cree kanila, actually el maga proyekto di aton talli na maga barangay, na sentro, na este, na weste y na adentro del ciudad”.
Culianan barangay chairman Anatacio Limen substantiated Lobregat’s statement by saying “maskin cosa sila habla contra con Celso, con Celso pa siempre ta confia el maga gente. Si Celso tiene cosa ya hace maga proyekto y ta puede kita mira con este maga proyekto. El di suyo maga contrario na politica tiene ba kosa que dale mira acomplicimiento?”
Limen urged Lobregat’s critics to make an accounting of the things they have done for the benefit of the people instead of disparaging the mayor whose capability, competence, experience and most importantly accomplishments are unmatched.
“Mas malo sila kombersa kontra kon Celso, mas popular si Celso ta keda”, the barangay chieftain said.
Since the start of his second term in 2007 up to November 15 this year, Lobregat’s administration has completed a total of P1,786 projects worth P1.65 billion. Another set of projects, covering 236 different projects worth P448.5 are ongoing the bidding process, giving a grand total of P2.107 billion worth of projects initiated under the Lobregat administration.
The projects implemented include 483 road concreting, overlay and farm to market road projects covering a total of 104,456 linear meters worth P449.4 million; 367 flood control projects covering a total of 44,827 linear meters worth P259.8 million; 159 bridges worth P81.3 million; 332 school buildings worth P435.2 million; 115 barangay halls/ day care centers, health centers and hospital improvement amounting to P90.03 million; 14 office buildings/police stations/ fire stations and jail worth P42.5 million; 22 development of parks and gardens/ playgrounds worth P87.48 million; 86 water system projects worth P49.25 million; 51 covered court/ shed/ basketball court/ waiting shed and pathway projects worth P46.04 million; and 157 site development and other structures worth P117.5 million.
Upon arrival from Manila recently, the mayor motored to Recodo, Ayala, Sta. Catalina and Rio Hondo to check on the development on the implementation of the projects initiated by the city.
“Mayor Lobregat is a workaholic. He is very meticulous and precise in all his moves”, a city hall employee, who requested anonymity observed. “If he is not perusing documents in his office or meeting with officials regarding the affairs of the city, he is in the barangays inspecting or inaugurating projects”.
Another employee observed that Lobregat painstakingly take time and effort in addressing concerns during emergency cases whatever time of the day and wherever in the city it occurred. “Oftentimes, his political rivals merely show up for picture taking and for media exposure. The following day his political rivals will be in the headlines criticizing the mayor with matching pictures”.
Sensing their slim chances of winning in the coming elections, this early, administration critics are employing all tactics to condition the minds of the people with the primary intention of swaying support to their side.
Observers say misinformation or twisting facts is the game plan and that even some members of the media are being used to organize, strategize or spread propaganda to condition the minds of the people. They lament that some members of the fourth estate fall prey to these menacing plans because of vested interests. (Sheila Covarrubias)