DAVAO CITY – Newly minted Mayor Sebastian Duterte vowed to run after “fixers” and corrupt employees who contributed to the red tape in the bureaucracy. During his inaugural speech, Duterte, 34, urged the public to report these acts to authorities, including his office so that violators will be prosecuted.
Davao City Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte shakes the hand of his father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, after his oathtaking at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on Monday, 27 June 2022. The 34-year-old Sebastian, the youngest son of Duterte with Elizabeth Zimmerman, will be the third Duterte to serve as mayor of Davao City in the last 34 years, after his father and Sara, the incoming Vice President. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
“Bisan pa og kaila ta o kauban ta sa gobyerno, pag abot sa balaod patas ta tanan (even if we know each other or work in the same government, we are all equal in law),” said Duterte, the youngest of President Rodrigo Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman’s children, during his inaugural speech.
He thanked the administration of his father for the creation of the Anti-Red Tape Authority as the city government supports the implementation of the ease of doing business law. He warned the public not to believe in name-dropping and influence-peddling as he warned those who believe they are above the law because “I will always protect and secure our law-abiding citizens.” He said his administration will focus on economic recovery and poverty alleviation by making sure that businesses continue to operate to ensure that jobs are created.
“The local government will work closely with business sectors, both local and foreign, to explore more investment opportunities,” he said, adding that the city government is ready to listen to groups on how to enhance the business climate.
Among the key components of his programs, Duterte said during his inaugural speech, is the digitization of government transactions so that “the delivery of government services must be swifter and much more efficient.” He said the city government will make sure that it will have the state-of-the-art technology for its operations to make it globally competitive in the delivery of services as the “transacting public deserves the best public service experience.”
“Inefficiency in local government will not be tolerated,” he said. He added that his administration will focus on improving agriculture as “food security is a priority” as the city government will provide assistance, “including in the aspect of research” to improve their productivity.
The young mayor said he will continue the programs of his sister, Sara, the incoming vice president, including the peace initiatives that led to the declaration of the city as insurgency-free, and the implementation of the High Priority Bus System, a modern public transport system that is aimed at not only declogging the congested city streets of vehicles but also providing an efficient public transport system.
He said the city government will immediately build the 100-bed modern hospital and will upgrade district hospitals and set up more publicly-run pharmacies called “Botika ng Bayan.”
