The City of Biñan in Laguna has seen great strides since its cityhood in 2010, and its progress continues under new Mayor Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr., who assumed office on July 1. In his first 100 days of service, Mayor Arman, with the help of Vice Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte, the City Council and other city officials, has served Biñan’s residents with the following projects and programs:
Financial Assistance to Students. Sharing the advocacy of the national government, the City Government of Biñan handed out P13 million in financial assistance to 1,300 qualified incoming senior high school students in both public and private schools. Biñan was the only local government unit in the country that made this initiative, earning Mayor Arman a recognition from the Department of Education in an education summit on July 27, 2016.
‘Lingap sa Mahirap.’ A program for the city’s underprivileged, 52 caskets were initially constructed to be given free of charge to qualified applicants in Biñan. Since July 5, 2016, 81 caskets have been distributed.
The New City Command, Control and Communications Center. Wanting an inclusive peace and order in the city, Mayor Arman completed the command center with CCTV cameras for authorities to see real-time events and immediately respond to parts of Biñan where police assistance is needed.
Police Substations. Twelve virtual police stations were built in select entry and exit points of the city where they are most needed, with 160 volunteer city marshals manning them, ready to respond to any event. Each substation is equipped with effective radio communication devices, free WiFi, and CCTV monitors, is manned by two police officers and at least seven city marshals who are trained for radio operation, investigation, disaster response, intelligence gathering, and traffic management.
A Complete Package of Service Vehicles. Mayor Arman personally chose the following vehicles to award to concerned offices: two firetrucks, two garbage compactors, 11 motorcycles for police substations, six Hyundai cars for police patrols, and two specially-designed tricycles for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Regional ‘Oplan Tokhang’ Conference. On July 30, 2016, Philippine National Police Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa rallied all drug surrenderers from Calabarzon into Biñan’s Alonte Sports Arena, where Rep. Len Alonte and Mayor Arman actively took part in. Around 200 drug surrenderers from the city are currently under the watch of PNP-Biñan.
Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship. For the first time, the Philippines and the city hosted a prestigious and elite Asian league like the AWCVC, which was held at the Alonte Sports Arena from September 3 to 11, 2016. Rep. Len Alonte graced the opening ceremony.
Renovation of Ospital ng Biñan. Remodeling of the community hospital is almost finished, with a refurbished façade, lobby, mortuary and comfort rooms, and four additional wards, one dedicated to patients with tuberculosis and other communicable diseases. The city also purchased new X-ray and dialysis machines, and the construction of the new two-storey outpatient department is underway.
BPLO Inspection. For three weeks starting Sept. 6, 2016, the City Business Permit and Licensing Office headed by Mr. Rene Manabat went around Biñan to see if all business establishments, from sari-sari stores to multinational corporations, complied with the city’s standards and requirements to operate. The BPLO formed 30 teams to do the rigid inspection, with each team carrying three members.
Residents of Biñan can expect more programs for their benefit under Mayor Dimaguila and his “Serbisyong Arman” advocacy for the next two-plus years of his term.
“Sa Lungsod ng Biñan, Mamamayan ay Maaasahan.”
More stories:
A glimpse into Mayor Arman’s life
Biñan: The City of Life — Vibrant, Historic, and Progressive
