How can we say if our
city government is doing the right thing and is on the right track?
It’s true that there are
a lot of ways to assess if the present administration of Mayor Del and Vice
Mayor Cadiz are governing well. Low crime rates and increasing annual income of
the city are just two of the many indicators to prove it.
But for me, the best way
to really see if our city government is effective and doing the right thing is
when we are able to encourage outsiders to live here, invest here, and come
visit our tourist attractions.
Why do I say that?
Let us put ourselves in
their situation. First, will you live or transfer to a place that is dangerous
and dirty? Given a choice, of course not! Certainly, all of us would choose to
live in a place that is safe, clean, and with a high quality of living.
Second, are you going to
invest in a place where the available workforce is unskilled and uneducated? Are
you going to put up a business in a place where residents do not have the
capacity to pay and have no stable income? Obviously, you prefer a place that
ensures a constant supply of highly educated and skilled employees; and, where
residents have disposable income.
Third, are you going visit
a place that is boring, inaccessible, and inconvenient? Definitely, you’d go to
a place that is unique, with a rich culture, and friendly people.
Knowing these realities,
Mayor Del R. de Guzman conceptualized and launched “Make it Marikina” (MIM). MIM is a “place marketing campaign”
which aims to encourage both locals and foreigners alike to live, invest, and
visit Marikina.
Our objective is to
attract new residents, new investments, and more visitors.
This objective is the
basis for the work program of each department of the city government. The
department heads will then be responsible for ensuring that each employee will
contribute and work towards the achievement of our goals.
“In order for us to further improve the quality of
life of our constituents, we would need more income to fund our various
projects,” said Mayor de Guzman, adding that, “If we succeed in attracting thousands of AB
families in our subdivisions, substantial direct investments into our
commercial system, and millions of tourists to visit our attractions … more
people will pay taxes and patronize local businesses. An invigorated economy
will also mean more employment and better pay for Marikenyos. With this
campaign, we are expanding the tax-base and taking full advantage of tourism’s multiplier
effect.”
“Make it Marikina!” is an appeal to AB families in
search of a place to construct their dream house or a townhouse to rent to ...Make
it Marikina!
It is a call-to-action to investors on the lookout for new
business opportunities, to … Make it Marikina!
It is also an invitation
to travelers and tourists looking for excitement or a relaxing respite,
to ...Make it Marikina!
MIM aims to position
Marikina City as the “Sports Hub” and “Bike Capital”. We are also working at
making our sports center or Marikina Sports Park (MSP) the “Home of the
Azkals”.
Exciting developments are happening in Marikina … IF done
correctly, it will spell success for our city and our families. Now is the time
to come together as a people. Come, Marikenyos … join us in this shared vision
and common aspiration.
For outsiders … we have whatever it is you are looking for. So,
please … Make it Marikina!
