OLONGAPO CITY — Businessman and mayoral candidate Arnold Vegafria said he is set to deliver positive change in Olongapo City, which in the past was ranked number 3 n the country’s economic competitiveness but has dropped all the way to number 33 in the present.

In a press conference held at a restaurant in the Subic Bay Freeport on Thursday, he said that Olongapo is ready to have a change in leadership and will opt for a candidate “who is not a politician, but wanted to really help to make this city great again.”

At the same time, Vegafria expressed confidence in clinching the city’s top executive position in the May 9 election, as the people of Olongapo, he said, will support a candidate who can deliver positive change.

OPTIMISM

“I am doing a great job,” Vegafria said. “I think I have a big chance of winning.”

Vegafria said the people of Olongapo “are now ready to have a new leadership; a new leader who has an optimistic long-term vision for the betterment of Olongapo and our constituents. And I humbly accept the trust and confidence and take a new challenge and new journey in my life.”

“Should I be given the change to lead Olongapo City, we will implement positive changes in the administration, and that includes change in the structure of the government,” he added.

PRIORITIES

Among the changes he wishes to prioritize are economic restructuring of the city, health improvement, attractive tourism landscape, and education reform.

Vegafria noted that in order to strengthen the city’s economy, his administration will build an economic zone under the city’s control, similar to that in Hermosa, Bataan, to guarantee job generation and speedy economic regrowth.

Regarding what he described as “poor health services” in the city, the candidate plans to establish a modern public hospital for the masses, put up a comprehensive health insurance card system, and assign more doctors and nurses in barangay health centers.

INDUSTRY

Vegafria also said that as tourism is the main industry of Olongapo, he plans to develop the city into a world-class tourist destination that will leverage on its natural attractions and talented local artists.

“We need to transform Olongapo city into the country’s entertainment capital ala Las Vegas,” said the candidate who has made a name for himself in the entertainment promotion industry. “We will address the mismanagement of the city’s tourism industry; incentivize the establishment of hotels, casinos and other amenities to encourage the influx of foreign tourists; redevelop neglected beachfronts and bayside areas; and promote the construction of additional accommodation facilities, staycation resorts, retreat houses, as well as theme parks and adventure sports facilities.”

“We will also prioritize the rehabilitation of the city’s beaches similar to the Boracay redevelopment, and further support these initiatives by installing solar-power street lights across all of Olongapo main roads,” he added.

EDUCATION

To ensure that these developments are accompanied by a highly-skilled and well-motivated workforce, Vegafria also made a point to mention his plan for a comprehensive scholarship program for deserving and underprivileged students, as well as a guaranteed job placement system, or automatic employment for fresh graduates.

All of these, Vegafria said, would be supported by a modernization program for all public services. These will include the establishment of computerized and automated systems for all city hall and agency processes to curb graft and corruption, and the establishment of 24/7 WiFi hotspots in key locations to provide citywide internet connectivity.

POWER PROBLEM

Meanwhile, when asked what he will do about the P7.19-billion indebtedness of Olongapo City to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), Vegafria said he would face the responsibility and try to pay the amount in a scheme the city can afford.

“It is the responsibility of the city mayor to find an acceptable solution to the problem, He should not avoid it because it is the welfare of the residents, the businesses, and the credibility of the city that are at stake,” he said.

It can be recalled that during a live mayoral forum held over a local radio station here, reelectionist Mayor LenJ Paulino said he would not pay the debt and instead await for a political ally to win the congressional contest and negotiate with PSALM for condonation of the power debt.

“Why should we wait for a candidate to win the election before setting our obligation with PSALM, whereas he (Paulino) is supposed to act on it?” Vegafria said.

He added that failure to pay the city’s huge electric bill debt will affect Olongapo’s credit standing with financial institutions and local and foreign banks.

Vegafria also pointed out that the condonation approach to the problem will affect Olongapo’s ranking in the economic competitiveness index, as well as Olongapo’s image as a highly urbanized city, and deter grants and investments from foreign countries. ~