Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday called for an attitude of humility among the local government officials and religious leaders of Taguig, as the city sets itself up to meet an ambitious tax collection target for 2023 amid significant economic headwinds due to inflation.
Recalling imagery from the stories of Old Testament prophets Joshua, Joseph, and Daniel, Cayetano urged local Taguig officials and representatives from different religious groups to “invite God” into the city and its administrative affairs.
“Hindi natin alam kung ano ang nasa future, pero mayroon tayong sovereign na Diyos na kung tayo ay magpapakumbaba ngayon, He will raise Daniels, Joshuas, and Josephs. This will be a Joshua generation,” the senator said.
He likened Taguig to ancient Israelites under the leadership of Joshua who were able to enter the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. “Bubuksan ng Panginoon ang pangako Niya sa mga Pilipino at sa Siyudad ng Taguig,” he said.
Cayetano made the remarks during the dedication of the newly completed Taguig Convention Center at the New City Hall complex in Barangay Ususan on January 2, 2023.
The event also served as the local government’s dedication ceremony for the city – something that Taguig City Hall has done annually in the last decade to usher in the new year.
“Today is not just a symbolic gesture. We are asking the Lord Jesus to be the King of Taguig, because the King of kings and the Lord of lords knows how to bless our city,” he said.
For her part, City of Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano expressed hope the city will exceed its tax collection target, which is set to increase by at least P2 billion in 2023 in a bid to bankroll the proposed projects submitted by the city’s barangays and local government departments.
“Ang panalangin natin ay gamitin ng Panginoon ang bawat isang kawani na kikilos para sa ating Business One-Stop Shop, at i-move ng Panginoon ang lahat ng mga taxpayers ng city of Taguig so that when they see our facilities and transact with our city government, maramdaman nila na it’s a privilege and not a burden na magbayad ng buwis sa Taguig,” she said.
Meanwhile, Senator Cayetano thanked the religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities who were present during the dedication, recalling their help in supporting the city’s anti-gambling policy set in place since 2001.
“Dahil tumayo po tayo laban sa mga casino, at noong panahon ni Mayor Lani laban sa POGO (Philippine offshore gaming operators) at sugal, imbis na casino, mayroon po tayong napakagandang conventional hall sa Taguig today,” he said.
