CITY Mayor Jane Yap welcomed the representatives of SM Supermalls headed its Senior Vice President Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Prime Vice President Joseph Conrad Balatbat, and SM Supermalls Vice President Gino Borromeo the other week.
The construction is soon to commence early of next year in Brgy. Dao. The famed SM mall will include a department store, grocery, cinema, and various special features. The entrance of the famed SM Supermall was strongly supported by the two-day planning which was conducted in the Bohol Beach Club on September 8 and 9, 2022.
The second tranche of planning for the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA) which reviewed, assessed, and finalized by the key leaders from the City Government including the elected officials, department heads barangay captains, and civil society organizations outlined a roadmap for the city in the next six years that would advance the infrastructure, social services, and environment initiatives of the city.
United States Aid for International Development (USAID) Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) Project Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes served as the lead facilitator of the activity, assisted by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Local Government Operations Officer Gina Bastes.
Mandated plans such as these are vital to the focus and direction that the City Government will take in the next three to six years. Key issues covering the sectors of education, social welfare, peace and order, health, culture and arts, housing, and sports were assessed.
Modernization of the infrastructure facilities were also tackled. Architect Nino Guidaben and Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dominic Butalid both pushed for underground wires or technically termed as grid modernization. Both said that the investment might be costly, but the returns will greatly benefit the city. In fact, grid modernization is the backbone for the digitalization of Mayor Jane Yap. Modernization of “the grid” as the backbone infrastructure of any smart community will jumpstart efforts to increase connectivity.
According to Mayor Jane Yap, the main concern is the financial status of the City. Big ticket projects need a huge infusion of funds. Thus, the local chief executive stressed that the city should strike a balance between addressing the urgent needs of the constituents and the way forward.
Mayor Jane Yap emphasized the future of the city through the concept of “smart city” and it will be of no-cost to the city. Yap stressed that the app will be implemented in Tagbilaran thru a public-private partnership. Aside from the “smart-city” app, on-going talks with a German and Singaporean companies are on the pipeline to assist Tagbilaran City in laying underground wires.
These initiatives serve as a welcome gesture for the soon-to-be built SM Supermall in Tagbilaran City which is expected to have its blessing on 2025. Indeed, a significant indication that the city is moving forward. (Jeanette Busano)
