Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia is wishing the people of Bacolod a bountiful and progressive New Year.
“It’s been a roller coaster of a ride the past 12 months. We have yet to come out of the woods because the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic are still in our midst,” he said.
The world witnessed the slowing down of the economy but here, locally, “we managed to survive. We saw our health frontliners, government leaders and volunteer workers pushed to the edge but their resolve to stay in the battlefront, day and night, remains a commitment. Thanks to the resilience of our people, who keep faith and turn the tide on our side,” Leonardia said.
“Looking back, we encountered challenges that appeared insurmountable. But with the grace and guidance of God and the cooperation of our people, we are close to herd immunity in our vaccination program. At the same time, the Bacolod economy has shown highly encouraging signs of growth amidst the pandemic,” he said.
Leonardia said that because of the continued support of the business community, the various sectors and cooperation of the people, Bacolod City has gained the prominence of being the “Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit in the Philippines”, a recognition awarded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the biggest and most prestigious business organization in the country.
In addition, the city was named the “Best Performing Highly-Urbanized City” in Western Visayas and a recipient of the DILG’s “Seal of Good Local Governance,” the mayor said.
“Let us continue to protect our gains as we welcome 2022 with optimism, hope, resilience and deeper faith in the Almighty,” Leonardia added.*
