DAVAO CITY (PIA) — “What’s important is we keep our people smiling,” said Tagum City mayor Rey T. Uy in his acceptance message delivered during the 2023 Outstanding PSA Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony as part of the 10th year anniversary of the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA).
PSA Davao Region has recognized Tagum City as the 2023 Most Innovative in Civil Registration, a reliable partner of PSA in Civil Registration, and Consistent Provider of Data Advocacy, among other major citations related to statistics programs.
Tagum City mayor Rey T. Uy
Uy congratulated his fellow awardees at the provincial and regional levels, whom PSA Davao Region recognized during the event.
“Ang atoa diri sa gobyerbo, trabaho ra jud ni (We in government, this is just a work matter). Remember ang tag-iya sa gobyerbo, ang mga tao (Remember, the people owns the government). We exist because of them. Kung wala ang tawo, wala gabayad ug buwis, wala pud ta (If people are not there, not paying taxes, we won’t be there),” he said.
He is aware that the national government implements wide variety of well-meaning programs and projects for the good of the people, however, noted that the level of success of implementation usually lies at the local government units (LGUs).
Looking back the long years of his service as a local chief executive, he recalled having told the department heads, and even the rank and file personnel to do their work and keep their good virtues as they serve the people.
“Kanang awards, secondary lang na. Ang importante nga award at the end of the day, kung unsa atong gihatag nga serbisyo sa tao (The awards are just secondary). The important award is that at the end of the day, whatever service we are giving to the people, you keep them smiling,” he said.
Lami kaayo atong tulog ana. Paghatag nato ug serbisyo, ngisi ang atong mga tao (We would have sound sleep by that. When you give people the service, they smile. You keep them smiling),” he added.
Meanwhile, he conveyed to PSA the idea of reviewing the Local Government Code, including the sharing of national tax allocation (NTA) previously called the internal revenue allotment (IRA), to LGUs.
Mayor Uy noted the share disparity of NTA, affecting the implementation of national programs and projects.
While Tagum City is allotted with P2 billion, he noted that other LGUs are still apportioned with only P300,000 to P400,000.
Much as LCEs of LGUs with a pittance of NTA, would like to bring government services to all at the grassroots, they would have a hard time with less NTA allocation. (JMDA/ PIA Davao del Norte)
