MANILA, Philippines – Former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo reiterated her commitment to “strengthen mechanisms” for good governance in Naga City.
In a news release, Robredo, who was proclaimed as Naga’s first woman mayor, vowed to push for transparency and accountability in her home city, prioritizing “people empowerment” and “citizen involvement” in local decision-making.
“At the core of it all, iyong pag-strengthen ng mechanism para sa mabuting pamamahala, transparency, and accountability,” Robredo said.
“Sa amin kasi, big kami on people empowerment. Dito sa amin may working na people’s council,” Robredo added.
Robredo was proclaimed on Tuesday after garnering an overwhelming 84,259 votes, or 91.6 percent of the total votes cast for mayor.
Her opponents for the mayoral position are Leonida Abrazado, Restituto De Quiros, and Luis Ortega.
Robredo also emphasized the need to deepen citizen involvement in local decision-making, calling people's participation one of the key pillars of good governance.
Robredo emphasized that good governance is key to addressing the city’s most urgent challenges, particularly in education, health, and the environment.
“Napakarami kasing kailangan dito sa lungsod namin. Unang-una, kakagaling lang namin sa pinakamatinding pagbaha, so kailangan ayusin. Yung mga infrastructure na makakatulong sa amin to be more resilient and para maka-adapt sa kondisyon ng lugar namin,” Robredo stated.
“Gusto namin maging pinakamahusay sa edukasyon, sa health," Robredo stressed.
"Gusto namin tutukan ang environment kasi yung lugar namin talagang prone sa calamities; kailangan na kailangan iyon. Pero at the core of it all kasi, good governance. So, gusto lang namin strengthen iyong mga mechanism that are already available, kasi nakita namin na may erosion nito over the last few years,” she reiterated.
Robredo also pledged to empower the youth by encouraging their participation in public service.
“Meron kami iyong city youth officials na one month sila nagsi-serve, iyong mga Sangguniang Kabataan naming mahuhusay. Siguro, ayusin lang ang platform kung saan pwede silang makilahok sa governance,” she said.
Finally, Robredo said she envisions a Naga City that remains a source of pride and joy for its people — and a model for other cities to follow.
“Maraming kailangang gawin. Pero gusto din namin na aside from making our city a happy place for Nagueños, gusto namin makapag-initiate ng mga projects na replicable all over the country,” she said.
Robredo lost her bid for the presidency in 2022 to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr; whom she previously defeated in the vice-presidential race in 2016.
She also served as the representative of Camarines Sur 3rd District before becoming vice president.
