STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS - Bacolod City

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Because of the global oil price crisis, threatening food shortage, and the
slow down in the U.S. economy, all of which are affecting us, we can say we are
in troubled times. Yes, we have to face these realities.
But these circumstances today remind us also of how it was when we
started to pursue the plans to build our Government Center. We remember
distinctly how the details and complexities almost “drowned” us. Because of the
magnitude of the project, the procedures, requirements and regulations alone
that we had to comply with were already overwhelming.
But what really made matters worse were the opposition, intrigues,
machinations, sabotage and “torpedoes” thrown against us by our political
opponents who were driven by their burning desire to block us from achieving our
goal. They wanted us to fail.
It was during those troubled times that when faced with seemingly
insurmountable adversities and the ultimate challenge from “torpedoes” and
saboteurs, we stood firm, we moved on, we barreled through and we declared
“DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD”.
Because of our resolve and determination, we now have this new
Government Center. So my beloved people of Bacolod, even if, in a manner of
speaking, we will go through rough seas, hurricanes and typhoons in the months
ahead, let us go FULL SPEED AHEAD!
We are a resilient people. We are a people of hope. Let us go FULL
SPEED AHEAD and treat our present difficulties not as burdens but as
opportunities in disguise.
Let us count our blessings and be thankful for them. Let us give back to
God the glory for His manifold mercies upon our people.
Times ahead will be difficult but together, helping each other, we will
survive!
For generations now, we, Bacolodnons, have shared an open secret
amongst ourselves. Now, that secret has been revealed to the whole country.
And this secret is . . . .
BACOLOD CITY IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN THE
PHILIPPINES!
No less than MoneySense, a prestigious business magazine, with an
editorial board composed of highly-respected business leaders, economists and
professionals, has cited Bacolod City, in its March-April 2008 issue, as the best