Mayor Indy bares programs for Ozamiznons

by Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon

Ozamiz Mayor Henry “Indy” Oaminal Jr. delivered his first State of the City address to report his accomplishments and programs for his first year of office here at Ozamiz City Gymnasium on Saturday, July 8.

During his SOCA, Mayor Indy Oaminal acknowledged the efforts of his predecessors Former Mayor/ Second District Rep. Sancho Fernando Oaminal, and with the help from his father Governor Henry Oaminal who made it clear that for true Asenso (progress) to be achieved, Ozamiznons must experience the 5Ms (Misamisnon Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambon og Malipayon).

As for the health programs, Mayor Henry Oaminal Jr shared the Asenso Ozamiz Flagship Project which is the free hospitalization and funeral services program as part of his effort to make each Ozamiznons and the city peaceful.

Since July 2022, the city has already covered hospital bills of 3,059 beneficiaries in crisis worth P67,652, 979, 87. They also covered the funeral bills of 556 beneficiaries in a total amount of P12,135,100.

Mayor Oaminal announced that LGU Ozamiz started the renovation of both the SM Lao Memorial City General Hospital and Ozamiz City Health Office with the end goal of re-operationalizing the former into an infirmary and upgrading the latter into a primary care facility to cater the various needs of Ozamiznons.

On the various health needs, the city has also opened its 24/7 mental health hotline.

“As trends have shown that those with mental health issues need an outlet or someone to talk to appropriately address their concerns, our local health workers have been up to the task of helping those in need,” the mayor said during his 1st SOCA.

On education, Mayor Indy Oaminal shared that the Asenso One Professional per Family Program grants a qualified beneficiary; P25,000 in educational assistance per semester.

“With the provincial drive, Ozamiz City is given 600 slots for its deserving students and for that, we are very thankful to the province. However, with its large population, the city still has deserving students who will not be covered by this allocation,” he said. Hence, the city government will augment educational assistance to 400 students from Ozamiz City.

With the city’s thrust of preparing the youth by supporting their education, Mayor Indy Oaminal also acted to equip grade 11 and grade 12 public school learners with 2,530 electronic tablets that will allow them access to a wider research based and learning methods.

Mayor Indy Oaminal reported that the City Council passed the Asenso Ozamiz Rice Farmers Full Assistance ordinance. “This program was started during the harvest season and the city has been able to fully pay for the harvesting cost of 448 of our rice farmers covering 323.0633 hectares of rice land with a total amount given amounting to P1,866, 127.84 while this is a provincial directive, this assistance is locally funded,” he shared.

As for the new cropping season, the LGU is already assisting its rice farmers in their land preparation stage with aid prepared to be given to 824 farmers covering 523.2 hectares of rice land in the total amount of P4,708,823.82.

“The LGU has already collected and procured the correct seeds and fertilizers tailor fit to the needs of our farmers to help them get the highest yield possible with the provincial target being 6 tons per hectare,” the mayor added.

On housing program, City Mayor Indy Oaminal also continues to implement the free housing program both in Barangay Lam-an and Barangay Malaubang with currently an additional 28 housing units already ready for turnover in Barangay Malaubang.

As for tourism, the mayor of Ozamiz also shared that the recently opened Asenso Ozamiz Wellness Park is where Ozamiznons and visitors can go to unwind and relax with their family and friends. It is also where small business owners are given space to sell their products and artists and talented performers are given space to sell their products as well as where everyone can experience wellness not just physically but spiritually as well because it is situated right outside the Birhen sa Cotta. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)