Aurora mayor declares war against poverty, illegal drugs

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371458110755/aurora-mayor-declares-war-against-poverty-illegal-drugs
• Wednesday, March 16, 2016

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

AURORA, Zamboanga del Sur, March 16 (PIA) – The local chief executive of this town in the first district of the province declares war against poverty and illegal drugs.

In his state of the municipality address (SOMA) over the weekend at the municipal gym, Mayor Boen Dorotheo Cabahug announced his intensive campaign to reduce poverty and curb illegal drugs.

Based on the official data released by the National Statistics Coordinating Board in 2009, Cabahug said 33.59% of the people in Aurora live in poverty.

“This is the reality that opened my eyes, and I will not stop until there are still many of our constituents who live in poverty,” Cabahug explained.

Cabahug’s pronouncement is anchored on the social contract of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III with the Filipino people when he assumed the presidency in 2010.

PNoy’s social contract is based on these key result areas: poverty reduction, just and lasting peace, transparent and participatory governance, inclusive growth, and integrity of the environment.

“There are many drug addicts in our place. During my term, we tried our best to make Aurora a drug-free municipality,” Cabahug declared.

Cabahug bared his significant accomplishments for the past 3 years, particularly on poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor, livelihood assistance and job opportunities, quality education and tourism, among others.

He said because of the strong support of his constituents, the municipality received prestigious awards from national government agencies.

“Our municipality received the Seal of Good Local Governance award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index award by the National Competitiveness Council, and a national nominee in the 2015 Nationwide Search for Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council,” Cabahug proudly announced.

“It is my obligation to serve you with utmost dedication. With the different projects implemented, I am optimistic that it has redound to the benefit of our people.This is inclusive growth, that nobody will be left behind in economic development, opportunity and progress,” Cabahug concluded.