𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘   Lapu-Lapu City Government Celebrates 63rd Charter Day   The Lapu-Lapu City Government, led by Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy, and the City Council, in collaboration with the House of Representatives Office of Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan, celebrated the 63rd Charter Day at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob.   The event was also graced by the presence of Happy Calatrava, the Regional Chairperson of the Tingog Partylist for the Visayas, representing Congresswoman Yedda Marie Romualdez as the guest of honor.   Vice Mayor Sitoy opened the program with a welcome speech, reminiscing about the city's history from its early days as the "Municipality of Opon" to its independence in 1961 through Republic Act 3134. The act, known as the City Charter of Lapu-Lapu, was signed on June 17, 1961, by Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia, with Mariano Dimataga, the last municipal mayor, becoming the first city mayor.   He highlighted the city's progress over the years, marked by urbanization milestones such as the construction of the first bridge, the establishment of the international airport, and the creation of the Mactan Economic Processing Zone (MEPZ).   In his ceremonial speech, Mayor Chan expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the citizens' dedication to serving the Oponganons, especially through the challenges posed by the pandemic and Typhoon Odette. The typhoon hit the city at the start of Misa de Gallo in 2021, significantly impacting the bustling community but failing to dampen its indomitable spirit.   “Our resilience, our collective actions, and our unity as Oponganon people were our secret weapons to weather the storms. Much has already been done, but still, much remains to be done,” Mayor Chan said.   Mayor Chan also outlined his administration's vision for a more progressive Lapu-Lapu City, aiming to provide better opportunities and quality of life for all residents.   Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan also spoke, recognizing the collective efforts of the Oponganon community towards progress. “In our shared journey, we continue to draw strength from our diversity and courage from our unity. On this 63rd Charter anniversary, we celebrate the upliftment of the lives of the common Oponganons and highlight our commitment to good governance,” said Congresswoman Chan.   Happy Calatrava, representing Tingog Partylist, emphasized the importance of maintaining unity within the community.   The ceremony included an award presentation honoring seven barangay captains for their invaluable contributions over 13 years of public service. The honorees were:   Hon. Romulo Wagwag - Brgy. Baring Hon. Isabelito Darnayla - Brgy. Basak Hon. Ranilo Abayan - Brgy. Caohagan Hon. Lucrecia Amores - Brgy. Marigondon Hon. Virgilio Casiao - Brgy. Pangan-an Hon. Nelson Melancolico - Brgy. Sabang Hon. Cyrus Eyas - Brgy. San Vicente   Mayor Chan also looked forward to the upcoming mega reclamation project, which will feature a commercial center, a business hub, an economic zone, and a recreation park.   “What was once just a dream is now becoming a reality. Let us continue the progress we have started. Long live our city; long live all of us. Happy Charter Day, everyone,” Mayor Chan concluded, greeting all attendees at the Hoops Dome.

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘   129 Beneficiaries Granted Sustainable Livelihood Program by DOLE-7 Central Visayas Through the initiatives of the Lapu-Lapu City government led by Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, and with the support of Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan, a total of 129 beneficiaries have been granted the sustainable livelihood program from the Department of Labor and Employment - Region VII Central Visayas. The event took place today at Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob.   DOLE allocated P2.4 million to the Lapu-Lapu City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). This initiative, spearheaded by City Councilor Annabeth Cuizon, was planned in 2023 and marks the first payout. The beneficiaries were selected after undergoing a workshop conducted by the CSWDO. Depending on their chosen business, each beneficiary received a livelihood package worth P25,000 to P30,000.   The beneficiaries include 32 mural and local artists from the Mactan Artist Guild (MAG) and 96 retrenched workers who have opted to start small businesses such as sari-sari stores, baking, water dispensers, hog raising, rice trading, nego carts, and crispy chicken businesses. Jesus Montecillo, Focal Person and Representative of the Department of Labor and Employment - Region VII Central Visayas, explained how their programs assist those in need of livelihood, especially workers displaced from their jobs during the early stages of the pandemic. In her speech, Congresswoman Cindi thanked the Department of Labor and Employment - Region VII Central Visayas for selecting Lapu-Lapu City as one of the recipients of the livelihood program.   "Ang Chan Administration kanunay nga naningkamot nga maatiman ang tanan. I hope with these goods magamit ni ninyo, mapalambo, sa matarong ug utilize pag-budget," said Congresswoman Cindi.   Congresswoman Cindi hopes to connect the programs to every barangay to ensure a wide range of alliances and fair distribution of services to everyone.   The program concluded with a formal turnover of goods and services to the beneficiaries.

PRESS RELEASE The Office of Congresswoman Cindi King-Chan conducted a profiling of beneficiaries of TUPAD, or “Tulong Pangkabuhayan Alang sa mga Displaced” workers. The profiling activities, held at the City Sports Gym on Friday, are intended for the P1 million fund allocation for TUPAD beneficiaries through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Julieta Soon, assistant program coordinator, said each TUPAD beneficiary will work for 10 days in her barangay and will receive a total of P4,680, or P468 daily. She said the daily rate was increased from the previous P435 per day due to the rising cost of basic commodities. The P1 million is Tingog Partylist fund allocation, coursed through the Alangang Tingog Center (ATC) here in the city, with the assistance of the staff of Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative, Cong. Cindi King-Chan. Today, TUPAD staff processed 204 female beneficiaries. Soon, after processing their documents, the papers will be sent to DOLE. The labor department will then call qualified beneficiaries for orientation and processing of their insurance. Beneficiaries will then be sent to work in their assigned areas to plant and clean the streets. They will then receive their pay after 10 days of work. PIO

PRESS RELEASE Lapu-Lapu City held a public hearing last Tuesday on the proposed rate increase on market stall rentals, and it went smoothly. But market sellers complained of the rate increase but were evasive when Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan asked then, revealing their profit, or "ginansiya". Market sellers have enjoyed a wide profit margin through the years for their 21-year-old stall rental rates. Fish vendors, for example, enjoy their daily profit but only pay a meager P100 monthly rental, plus P10 for a full bañera fish or P5 for a half-filled bañera. They are complaining about the proposed rent rate increase of P150 per day. Meat vendors pay only P150 per month in rental, which will be increased in the proposed rate to P150 per day. Lapu-Lapu City Public Market has a total of 701 stalls and 400 to 500 ambulant vendors, making it one of the city’s revenue earners. But the mayor reasoned out that the city government will be at a loss if it does not increase its stall rental rates. "Kung alkase pirmi ang gobyerno, aw, manirado na lang ta o pasirad-an ta sa DENR kay wa tay tarong nga STP," he told the vendors. Being a highly urbanized city (HUC), Mayor Chan said it is incumbent upon the city to develop their market facility and have a functional sewage treatment plant (STP). STP is the facility that regulates market waste and odor. And the current STP nowadays costs millions. The mayor added that the high cost of maintaining a public market prompted their neighboring cities to privatize their market or let a private company manage the facility. Then the city just collects revenues from this managing company. During the public hearing, the majority of vendors aired their gripes, saying they incurred huge losses during lockdown and were devastated by Typhoon Odette. They are just now slowly making headway in their business, but they are worried about this proposed rate increase. Mayor Chan told them that if they were at a loss, they should have ceased operating years ago and sold their stall rights because many are waiting to acquire them. But stall owners did not sell their rights. Apparently they are having the heyday of the old, 21-year-old rental rates and raking in big profits. Mayor, Vice Mayor Celsie Sitoy, and city councilors listened to stall occupants who each gave their stall rate counter proposal during last Tuesday’s public hearing. This is the proposed ordinance of Councilors Climaco Tatoy Jr. and Annabeth Cuizon, which is an ordinance amending City Ordinance No. 029-2007, "The Revised Market Code of 2007 of the City of Lapu-Lapu. PIO