Pilar, Bataan - “Ulat sa Bayan” and Christmas Lighting Ceremony happened last December 16, 2016 at the Municipal Grounds. This year’s event was once again hosted by Mr. Leo Espinosa and Ms. Melba Fernandez.
A white carpet was laid out for the Entrance of Colors. First to enter were the barangay captains, followed by the department heads, then the Sangguniang Bayan, and of course, our Mayor, Alice Pizarro, who was escorted by SFO2 Alberto Ramos Jr. and PSInsp Karl Marlo Sanchez.
Vice Mayor Marino Caguimbal called to order the event which officially signaled the beginning of the program. Mayor Alice Pizarro then gave her State of the Municipal Address for this year and feartured the accomplishment reports of the different departments. She emphasized that their achievements were supplementary to further the development of our municipality.
Mayor Alice Pizarro began her speech by mentioning that she is one with President Duterte’s Core Values such as:
- Love of country
2) Concern and care for the helpless and impoverished
3) Subordination of personal interests to common good
She also cited the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo’s wise words that a public official must be “matino, mahusay at maaasahan”. As proof to her commitment in good governance, Mayor Alice reported that the Municipality of Pilar was awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance last October 27.
The growth of our municipality was also because of efforts from the Joint Inspection Team which yearly monitors all business establishments in Pilar on whether they complied with the necessary requirements. The team is composed of the Licensing Office, Treasury, Engineering, Health and Sanitation, Bureau of Fire Protection, PNP, MPDO, and DILG. And to ensure transparency and accountability, there are Full Disclosure Boards at the Annex Building, Pilar Government Center, and Barangay Hall in Poblacion, to show the expenditures of the municipality. Mayor Alice also reported the projects accomplished by the Municipal Engineering Office that were funded by the municipality, Provincial Engineering Office, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). She also showed the new BFP building at Pilar Government Center.
Another triumph highlighted by our mayor was the Red Orchid Award from DOH. This award is for the Smoke Free Campaign of DOH which promotes a better environment and health awareness amongst the constituents of Pilar. In line with President Duterte’s war on drugs, Mayor Alice Pizarro reported that as of December 16, 2016, there were a total of 168 surrenderees. The municipality also provided a rehabilitation center for those who surrendered and were willing to change. There were also different projects from the Municipal Agriculture Office and MDRRMO that were presented. Mayor Alice also mentioned the employees that were promoted this year.
And of course, there was also a brief discussion on Solid Waste Management. Mayor Alice took the opportunity to address the issue and inform those who were present regarding this problem of the municipality. She also mentioned that the municipality recently enrolled in the Performance Governance System (PGS) program of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) wherein it will guide the municipality towards achieving the “Dream Pilar”.
The SOMA was followed by the awarding of the most functional Barangay Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk. The winners are the following:
1st – Wawa
2nd–Nagwaling
3rd– Diwa
This was followed by the awarding of most functional Barangay Child Protection Council. The winners are the following:
1st – Diwa
2nd–Nagwaling
3rd– Wawa
Thereafter the awarding, Hon. Cecilia Garcia, the SB Chairman on Tourism, Historical interest, gave a heartwarming Christmas speech to all. She emphasized on the importance of contentment in this season of giving and sharing. Subsequent to this was the awarding of the most attractive Christmas decor amongst the different barangays. Each barangay was tasked to present a Christmas decoration that only used recycled materials, which is in line with the municipality’s proper solid waste management commitment. The winners are:
1st – Wawa
2nd–Bagumbayan
3rd– Rizal
The much-awaited lighting of the Christmas decoration followed. This was commenced through a performance of selected students from the Special Program of the Arts (SPA) of Pablo Roman National High School. The students danced their way around the decorations while joyously waving their light sabers. And of course, the Christmas lighting ceremony will not be complete without the wondrous fireworks display. This year is truly blessed and prosperous all thanks to the vigorous leadership of Mayor Alice Pizarro.