ONE month into her administration, Mayor Leni Robredo expressed satisfaction over the early gains made under her leadership, citing enthusiastic support from city government personnel and the implementation of 24 executive orders that signaled a shift toward more transparent, efficient, and inclusive governance.
Robredo, who took her oath of office on June 30, said she is “inspired” by the positive response of her “coworkers” in the city government as she began enforcing policy reforms aligned with her 2028 Finish Lines — a roadmap outlining strategic goals in eight thematic outcome areas: economic inclusion, environmental sustainability, mobility and order, health, education and well-being, heritage and identity, digital governance, good governance innovation, and local government efficiency.
Among her administration’s landmark directives are a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the mass regularization of long-serving casual personnel, a baseline performance review of city offices, the reconstitution of the Naga City School Board, and the institutionalization of stronger civil society participation in local governance.
“Seeing their commitment and openness to change motivates me even more to pursue the long-term objectives we have laid down,” Robredo said.
In her first month, the city government conducted clearing operations of waterways, drainage canals, and water outfalls, spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the City Engineer’s Office, and the Solid Waste Management Office.
“They [personnel] work almost 24/7 just to ensure that siltation due to the dumps of garbage are removed, clogged drainages are unblocked, and water outfalls are cleared,” Robredo said. “They are doing this to minimize the flooding in the city, if not totally prevented.”
Robredo also emphasized partnerships with national and local government units and private stakeholders as vital to achieving her administration’s goals.
Key collaborations include a partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the Naga River Rehabilitation focused on clean-up and flood control, and a joint effort with the Metro Naga Water District to strengthen potable water infrastructure and ensure sustainable water supply.
Another notable development is a sister-city cooperation with Quezon City, which will pave the way for urban and administrative collaboration in areas such as housing and digital governance services.
As her administration moves forward, Robredo remains firm in steering the city toward a governance model that is responsive, participatory, and future-ready. | via Jason B. Neola
