DESPITE a graft case pending against her at the Sandiganyaan, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza cited her administration’s achievements in her State of the City address (SOCA) at the Hoops Dome in barangay Gun-ob, yesterday.
In her speech, Radaza cited her efforts to enhance investor confidence and good governance as key goals of her administration.
Radaza said she has reached out to the business community and asssured them of a favorable climate to do business.
“I want to instill a culture where investor confidence is paramount and to create a favorable condition of inclusive growth for my constituents,” Radaza said.
She told city residents that they would soon have a “resort-like airport” after Megawide-GMRC completes its P17.5 billion terminal expansion and improvement project.
Last month, the mayor posted P140,000 bail after being implicated in a 2002 graft case before the Sandiganbayan involving the misuse of P15 million in funds for the Girl Scouts of the Philippines where she served as treasurer.
She faces another pending case over the insolvency of the Rural Bank of Subangdaku.
Radaza yesterday highlighted big investors in Lapu-Lapu, saying Ayala, SM and Megaworld are setting up shop in Lapu-Lapu City with Megaworld raising its initial investment of P20 billion in Mactan Newtown to P30 billion.
Radaza said she managed to pressure the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority or MCIAA to pay nearly P200 million in taxes to the city.
“Thank you MCIAA for paying your taxes. Rest assured, I will make sure your taxes will be well spent,” Radaza said.
On infrastructure projects, Radaza said the city completed the 1.2 kilometer-parallel drainage facility in George Tampus Street in barangay Basak and expand the sewage system there to barangays Buaya and Poblacion.
Radaza said her administration will continue to give r full support for international and national sporting events like the Cobra Ironman triathlon and completing a skate park at the Hoops Dome.
Radaza cited her administration’s campaign for the environment by inviting stakeholders to sign a covenant to protect the city’s marine resources and environment.