The welfare of children must guide Dumanjug’s development, Mayor Efren “Gungun” Gica said in his first State of the Municipality Address.
Gica reported gains in nutrition and child protection and unveiled plans for a new municipal hall envisioned as a replica of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The proposed ₱800-million municipal hall would form part of a planned 30-hectare Government Center.
Gica said he wants the building to resemble the Capitol in appearance and size.
The center would also accommodate a Hall of Justice, a fire station and other government offices.
The aim, he said, is to bring more services closer to Dumanjug residents.
Speaking at the Dumanjug Megadome recently during the Liga ng mga Barangay Night, Gica asked what kind of municipality today’s children would inherit.
He reported that the recorded stunting rate among children aged six to 59 months declined from 34.86 percent in 2021 to 5.24 percent in 2026.
In fact based on the latest information released by the Department of Health, Dumanjug does not belong to the top 30 percent local government units in Cebu with the highest stunting rate.
This represents a decrease of 29.62 percentage points.
Gica cited growth monitoring, nutrition assessment and interventions under Oplan Paglaum or Gasa sa Kahimsug.
He said the municipality continues to identify children needing additional support.
The municipal government allocated nearly ₱6 million for the Dahunog Dumanjug tutorial program to help children learn to read.
It also provided educational assistance to learners with special educational needs.
Recorded cases of children in conflict with the law fell from 19 in 2023 to 12 in 2024 and five in 2025. Gica reported zero cases in 2026 as of the address.
He said family intervention, community policing and continued guidance would be needed to sustain the improvement.
“When a child is in danger, government cannot look away,” Gica said.
Protection measures include a nighttime curfew for minors, Family and Youth Development Sessions and an ordinance addressing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
Schools are required to conduct monthly emergency drills.
In healthcare, Gica reported 18,923 community consultations through Alagad Dumanjug. Maternal health services reached 4,189 pregnant mothers, while immunization services reached 4,460 children.
Water-system coverage increased from 54 percent in 2016 to 97 percent, he said.
The disaster risk reduction and management budget rose from ₱6.2 million in 2016 to ₱19.5 million in 2026.
Livelihood initiatives included seasonal employment in South Korea. Agricultural and fishery insurance covered more than 1,000 farmers across the town’s 37 barangays.
Gica organized his future plans around four directions: GOVERN, CARE, CREATE and TRANSFORM.
Alongside the Government Center, these include a proposed ₱100-million infirmary or hospital and a planned Civic and Business Center.
The development agenda also covers agricultural facilities, livelihood opportunities and improved waste management.
Planned MyDumanjug upgrades include online municipal payments, access to social services and school entry-and-exit monitoring through QR codes.
Gica also highlighted the Dumanjug Communicators for Good Governance, or GComms, which will explain government programs and report their effects on residents.
The address formed part of Dumanjug’s 171st founding anniversary celebration.
“Ang Mayor molabay. Ang termino matapos. Ang Dumanjug magpabilin,” Gica said.
