Bacolod City Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia was elected yesterday as national vice chairman of the League of Cities in the Philippines with Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin D.C. Abalos Jr. as national president, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas as national chairman.

Leonardia said the election among the city mayors went smoothly as all nominees were unanimously elected.

Unlike before, when top positions in the league were hotly-contested, Leonardia said the mayors talked things over and were able to agree on who their leaders will be.

"As a conduit to major funding agencies that can bring projects to local government units, the LCP vice chairmanship enhances Bacolod City's image among other cities," Leonardia said.

He added that it also raised the level of respect given to the city leadership by the chief executives from the other cities. Leonardia said that among the priorities of the LCP is to strengthen the brotherhood of mayors and to share with each other the best practices of their respective cities.

"We can expect more visits from officials from other cities as our national president, Benhur Abalos, is a hands-on mayor and a result-oriented leader," Leonardia said.

Meanwhile, in an interview on national television program "Tinig ng Bayan" aired over National Broadcasting Network, Leonardia gave accounts of the dramatic turnaround of Bacolod City's economy the past years under his administration.

The general budget of the city he said, rose from P675 million in 2005, rose to P755 million this year.

This indicates a projection that next year Bacolod City will be joining the "Billionaires' Club" of progressive cities in the country, Leonardia said in the TV interview. He also stressed the need for LGUs not be too dependent on their Internal Revenue Allotment, encouraging instead, initiative for local sourcing of funds.

Leonardia also pointed out that Bacolold was able to turn its economy around after its people changed their lifestyle and attitude towards the monocrop industry which is sugar.

"We are definitely moving forward and the progress in our city earned us a citation from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry as 'Most Business-Friendly city in the Visayas," Leonardia said in the interview.

With him during the interview were Pasig congressman Roman Romulo and Mayor Ramon Guico Jr. of Binalonan, Pangasinan. Broadcaster Freddie Abando hosted the program.*NAB

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