SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday evening said that as Cauayan City marks 25 years of remarkable progress, the same unity and compassion that transformed it into a thriving city will be vital in helping the nation confront the challenges brought about by the Middle East crisis.
Speaking before local leaders and stakeholders, Dy underscored that in times of uncertainty, it is collective care and solidarity that sustain communities and move them forward.
“Itong mga panahong ito, kakailanganin talaga ng aruga’t pag-aalaga ng ating mga kababayan, hindi lamang sa lungsod ng Cauayan kundi sa buong lalawigan at ganito din po sa ating bansa. At makakaasa kayo, Mayor at sa lahat ng ating city officials, nandito lamang po kami at makikipagtulungan po kami para maitawid natin at malalampasan natin ito ng may pagkakakasama-sama,” Dy said, referring to the ongoing Middle East crisis and its impact on the country.
He emphasized that the very spirit that propelled Cauayan’s rise—cooperation, shared purpose, and people-centered leadership—must now guide the country through global headwinds.
Dy delivered the message during the Cauayan City Innovative Champions of Outstanding Noble (ICON) Service Awards Ceremony, held in celebration of the city’s 25th anniversary. In his address, he reflected on Cauayan’s journey from a resource-strapped municipality into a dynamic and progressive city—an achievement rooted in unity and sustained by service.
Recalling the city’s early struggles, Dy painted a vivid picture of its humble beginnings.
“Ang City of Cauayan ay mayroon na pong cinecelebrate natin na 25th anniversary. Sino ang hindi makakaalala kung papaano ang atin pong pinagdaanan noon, na ako po’y bilang mayor noong 1992… tumatanggap tayo ng internal revenue allotment na humigit kumulang na pitong milyong piso,” he shared.
He noted that even then, resources were far from enough to meet the growing needs of the community.
“At sa lawak po ng ating bayan ng Cauayan, kulang na kulang ito para suportahan ang mga pangangailangan, lalong lalo na ang mga priority projects na kailangan gawin,” Dy added.
Yet, what Cauayan lacked in resources, it made up for in unity.
“Sa atin pong pakikipagtulungan, pakikipag-ugnayan, at pakikiisa, nakita po natin kung papaano sumulong at umunlad ang ating bayan,” he said.
That shared commitment ultimately led to Cauayan’s cityhood—an enduring milestone that symbolized not only institutional progress, but the triumph of a people working as one.
“Dahil doon, na-qualify na po tayo na maging isang siyudad. Kaya po ako ay nagpapasalamat sapagkat ako po ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na maging kauna-unahang City Mayor ng Cauayan at ako rin po ang huling municipal mayor,” he said.
For Dy, the scale of transformation since then stands as proof of what unity anchored in service can achieve.
“Kaya naman po ang laki-laki po ng pagbabago simula nang ang atin pong lungsod ng Cauayan ay naging ganito ang estado,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Speaker expressed confidence that Cauayan’s story is far from over—and that its brightest chapters are still to be written through continued cooperation and strong local leadership under Mayor Caesar “Jaycee” Dy Jr.
“Naniniwala po ako na malayo pa po ang mararating ng ating lungsod… lalo na sa pakikipagtulungan at pakikiisa sa ating mga kawani at sa ating masisipag na mga nagtatrabaho sa ilalim ng lokal na pamahalaan.”
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