Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III has been the mayor of Malabon since 2012. The city has grown significantly and progressed during his almost 10 years in office. Even if Oreta’s service as Mayor ends this 2022, the initiatives that his administration established won’t be forgotten and the effects of the programs he created will be felt in the years to come.
Under his leadership, the City Government of Malabon has provided the benefits every Malabonian deserves—from proper health care services, poverty reduction, combating malnutrition, innovation in education, livelihood projects, and more.
“Back then, it was difficult to ensure that everyone received proper assistance and service because of limited resources. But over the years, due to the improvement of our internal systems, our services to Malabonians have also improved,” said Oreta.
As a staunch advocate for health and nutrition, he is known for his legacy in strengthening the overall health care services in Malabon City. Since Oreta took his seat, he has improved the service of the Ospital ng Malabon and the creation of Super Health Centers in the biggest barangay in Malabon, which is the most densely populated.
The health care service of Malabon City has been further tested by the pandemic in 2020, but Oreta has not wavered in this challenge. The City has laid out and implemented effective solutions to help Malabonians combat Covid-19.
When it comes to nutrition, undernourishment and stunting are among the major problems not only in Malabon City but in the whole world. The City Government of Malabon implemented effective programs such as the Karinderia para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting (KKC), which has significantly reduced the malnutrition rate in the City. The KKC is the most recognized nutrition program in 2021 and was cited by the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
One of the main initiatives under Oreta’s administration is the valuable support for improving education in Malabon City. The recognition of the City of Malabon University (CMU) as a Local Economic Enterprise for the year 2022 and being an ISO-certified institution is among its most notable accomplishments. Additionally, CMU has an accreditation from CHED, enabling it to offer free, high-caliber education to all qualified Malabonians, while its programs are accredited by ALCUCOA.
Educational programs such as the Alternative Learning System and Project SHARE have also helped Malabonians adjust to the new normal. Indeed, the pandemic has not been an obstacle to the City’s successful campaign for quality education.
The administration of Oreta also gave Malabonians optimism and a fresh start. Programs include drug rehabilitation activities that are part of the Rehab Clinic program, attention to Children in Conflict with the Law and to children who have been abused or neglected with the assistance of CSWDD’s Bahay Pag-Asa for Sagip Kalinga program, and the development of in-city resettlement sites for ISFs.
Also, with the observance of laws like the Anti-Red Tape Act and the Malabon Citizen’s Charter, the City Government of Malabon’s services have also improved. The E-BOSS online payment system, which eased doing business in the City, is one of the innovations.
In Malabonians’ daily lives, the city’s infrastructure is crucial. Malabon is a safer city as a result of the installation of streetlights and CCTV in strategic locations. In order to ensure that the city avoids experiencing severe flooding during a typhoon, flood control systems are being repaired. The DPWH, MMDA, and the City, continue to maintain 16 pumping stations.
All of these developments were made possible because of the support of all Malabonians. The taxes paid by the citizenry and from businesses has allowed the City to have an increase in funding that paved the way for more socio-civic projects for each Malabonian.
In 2012, the fund collection was only P400 million; now, it has reached P1.5 billion which is transmitted into various programs and projects for the development of Malabon such as the ‘PROMISE agenda’ (Poverty Reduction, Organizational Management, Infrastructure Scheme and Environment). From 2012 to 2021, Malabon’s local income increased by 200%.
Taxes alone could not fund all infrastructure projects, so the City had to borrow from Land Bank of the Philippines. In 2018, it will be recalled that it borrowed P202.6 million for projects such as the construction of the Catmon Super Health Center along with two additional buildings in the barangay, DRRMO Action Center in Brgy. Potrero, Rehabilitation of Oreta Sports Center, Greening Center Island at C4, and Malabonian Sports Complex at Hulong Duhat. All these projects are currently being utilized by the citizenry.
Additionally, the city borrowed P1.15 billion in 2020. Three of the six projects are already underway, including the construction of the Longos and Tonsuya Super Health Centers, the renovation of the Potrero Super Health Center, the building of the City Health Building, and the upkeep of the Tugatog Public Cemetery.
With proper and responsible management, there is no need to raise taxes for Malabonians to return the funds borrowed, according to Oreta. “These initiatives are always for the betterment of the Malabonians, and what we owe will not affect the increase or decrease of taxes.”
There are many more programs and projects that the Malabon Government can be proud of that have helped raise the quality of life of every Malabonian, even with the simple distribution of porridge and groceries. Through the years, the City has garnered various awards and recognitions such as the Seal of Good Local Governance.
Contrary to news and speculations, Ortea did not leave Malabon without funds. “I am not leaving you to start out with nothing. Here is the bank balance as of June 15, 2022: P1,427,755,035.97, ”said Oreta. “These funds are inclusive of our General Fund, Trust Funds, and Special Education Fund.”
The road to progress is always an uphill climb, but “if we remain consistent with the quality service we are providing, we will definitely lift and make the lives of all Malabonians better.”