Dalaguete mayor bares accomplishments after 1st year in office

Local

REFLECTING on her first year in service, Dalaguete Mayor Nelin Tambis bared the financial growth, improved public services, accomplished programs and projects.

Delivering her first State of the Municipality Address (Soma) on Monday, July 20, the first-time mayor also disclosed her administration's future plans and initiatives of her administration.

During the Soma, Tambis highlighted the financial performance of Dalaguete, which recorded P46.2 million in locally generated revenues from January to June 2026. This showed a 7.64% increase from the P45.4 million collection during the same six-month period in the previous year.

Tambis said the town’s financial performance reflects improved financial management by the local government and shows that businesses continue to grow

“This growth shows that we are managing our finances well, collecting revenues more effectively, and using public funds responsibly for the benefit of every Dalaguetenon,” Tambis said.

Among the major projects and initiatives she highlighted were public safety and disaster preparedness efforts, including the procurement of two high-powered motorcycles to improve police visibility, a new fire truck to serve upland barangays, and the ongoing construction of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Command Center, which will be equipped with an AI-enhanced CCTV surveillance system.

In agriculture and livelihood, Tambis also reported the completion of a double-A standard slaughterhouse, the development of the Dalaguete Foodscape to showcase the local cuisine and culture of the town, and the plan to establish the Dalaguete Highland Vegetable Trading Enterprise to provide farmers with cold storage, trading, sorting, and packaging facilities.

For healthcare and social services, the mayor reported the opening of the Animal Bite Center at the Rural Health Unit, which provides free anti-rabies and anti-tetanus vaccines.

Tambis also shared that the municipality was able to provide P2.3 million in medical and burial assistance to 722 residents. She said the municipality is aiming to make the LGU’s medical laboratory and X-ray facility fully operational within the year to better serve Dalaguetenons.

On education, Dalaguet ontinues to strengthen its support for students in the town, with 519 municipal scholars, while also implementing free summer sports training and a music note-reading program to develop the talents and skills of the youth.

As for infrastructure, Tambis said the town is currently complying with all 21 requirements set by the Cebu Port Authority to fully operationalize the Dalaguete Port and ensure that safety standards are met.

The municipality is also pursuing the redevelopment of the Dalaguete Seawall Plaza through an agreement with the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Tambis also reported several completed road projects connecting various barangays, as well as the rehabilitation of Legazpi Street near the town’s market to improve mobility and economic activity.

She also shared the plan to establish a satellite government center in Mantalongon to bring government services closer to residents, especially those in upland areas.

Among the offices that will be housed in the government center are the Municipal Agriculture Office, Local Civil Registrar, Business Permit and Licensing Office, MSWDO, MDRRMO, and other frontline services, allowing residents from mountain barangays to access government services without having to travel far to the Poblacion.

One of the major issues concerning Dalaguete is its water supply.

Tambis acknowledged the daily struggles of residents due to water shortages.

She clarified, however, that the Dalaguete Water District, the office that oversees the town’s water supply, is not under the supervision of the LGU since it is an independent agency under the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

Because of the water district’s failure to address the town’s water problems, the mayor said the town took the initiative to help residents by implementing water rationing, adding pipelines to expand connections, and improving water sources.

Tambis revealed that the general manager of the Dalaguete Water District has already tendered a resignation, and that there are applicants for the vacant position.

She assured consumers that the municipality would work closely with the new management to strengthen coordination, explore new water sources, and pursue long-term solutions to address the water issue, including the bulk water project.(MyTVCebu)