Valenzuela convenes city devt council

VALENZUELA Mayor Weslie «Wes» Gatchalian has convened the City Development Council (CDC) to discuss the status and progress of projects and outline future socioeconomic programs.

Joined by City Engineering Office head Reynaldo Sunga, the mayor provided an update on the status of current initiatives and laid down a detailed plan for future infrastructure projects.

«The meeting served as an avenue to ensure that the city's direction remains sustainable, particularly in terms of physical infrastructures and its contribution to socioeconomic growth,» Gatchalian told The Manila Times via Viber on Monday.

Mayor Weslie «Wes» Gatchalian. PHOTO BY: RENE H. DILAN

Among the key highlights was the allocation of the City Development Fund, sourced from 20 percent of the National Tax Allocation as mandated by Republic Act 7160 (The Local Government Code).

Amounting to P474,564,630, the fund will be utilized for various programs, including the second phase of the P13.3-million Valenzuela Children's Park in Barangay Malinta and the installation of streetlights, with a total cost of P5.06 million.

«These projects, along with others, are part of the city's efforts to enhance public spaces and ensure safety and convenience for every 'Valenzuelano',» the city chief executive said.

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Gatchalian, who earlier filed his candidacy for a second term as the city's highest elective official in the upcoming May 2025 midterm polls, reiterated the importance of the projects in driving the city's growth and improving the quality of life for the residents.

«From enhancing public spaces to improving infrastructures, these initiatives aim to address both the current needs and future challenges, ensuring that Valenzuela remains a progressive and a sustainable city,» he said.

Among those who attended the CDC meeting were key city officials, including City Administrator Jaime de Veyra, Chief of Staff Benjie Gamaro, City Planning and Development Office head Josefina Acurantes, Department of the Interior and Local Government-Valenzuela director Sudi Valencia, the 33 barangay chairmen and representatives from the city's nongovernment organizations.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment