Arayat Action Agenda: Rising to the challenge, riding the opportunity

 

 

                      Mayor Jeffrey Luriz

ALL PEACE and quiet now at what Sen. Ping Lacson once dubbed the “face of failed flood control projects” in Barangay Candating after its once-demonized contractor made good – reportedly – with the requisite repair and rehabilitation promised.

A sense of relief too with the resumption – after an eight-year hiatus – of the construction of the San Agustin Norte Bridge linking Arayat and the rest of Pampanga to Nueva Ecija. Coming as it is in the wake of Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon famously saying he felt like jumping off the unfinished structure when he came for inspection.

                         Unfinished San Agustin Norte Bridge. Contributed photo

Dizon now earning the townsfolk’s gratitude and praise, so expressed Mayor Jeffrey Luriz during the recent Talakayan forum with the Central Luzon Media Association-Pampanga Chapter.   

There’s still some more though in Arayat’s infra wish menu needing DPWH catering, notably:

1.     The immediate repair of the Barangay Cupang stretch of the Arnedo Dike that developed large cracks in December last year posing imminent danger of collapse that will endanger Arayat, Sta. Ana, and Magalang towns from floods.

2.     The completion and immediate operation of the P235-million 6.23-kilometer Sta. Ana-Arayat Bypass Road, with groundbreaking in March 2021 led by then-3^rd District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, Jr. and reported to have been 70% complete in March 2024.

3.     The completion of the 5.09-kilometer Arayat-Magalang Bypass Road, reported in March 2024 by then-DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan himself with a completion rate of 80% for the works under the P96.5-million allocation in the 2023 General Appropriations Act for the Arayat Segment.

A component of the so-called Pampanga Megalopolis Masterplan, the Arayat-Magalang Bypass Road will serve not only as an additional and alternate route between the two towns but a boost to tourism by providing quicker access to the Mt. Arayat National Park (MANP) which, naturally, is among those at the summit of Mayor Luriz’s Arayat Action Agenda.

 

                                                                               FB photograb

Park protection

Far from being “the showcase of a balanced ecosystem and biodiversity, conservation in Central Luzon" it was envisioned upon its “return” in 2004 to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from the Department of Tourism, the MANP has through the years eroded into dilapidation, impacted by forest fires and landslides, kaingin and deforestation, informal settlements, lack of maintenance of facilities, among others.

Grassfire on Mt. Arayat in April 2024. Photo: Sinukuan Gazette/Pampanga State Agricultural University

Since assuming the mayoralty, Luriz has incessantly called on the DENR for greater protection of the MANP, notably through the designation and deployment of more forest rangers – the LGU has organized its own Bantay Kalikasan for this purpose, and for expanded participation of the municipal government in the conservation, preservation, and promotion of the national park consistent to its being a protected area.   

Security and public health

As with the town’s natural resources, so with its human resources that Luriz endeavors to protect, promote, uplift to a quality of life at once secure and stable.  

Securing the safety of the community foremost, more so in a place for a long time known as a no man’s land. The 2024-2025 focus crime index dropping by 66.67%, to wit: Murder: 9-1; Homicide: 0-0; Physical Injury: 2-0; Rape: 11-3; Robbery: 3-0; Theft 1-4; Motorcycle Theft: 1-1; Carnapping: 0-0.  

Public health expansion is most notable in the town’s Super Health Center now operating recently procured essential medical equipment such as X-ray, ECG, and blood chemistry laboratory rendering free services to the residents; and 33 ambulances 24/7. Set to start operating on Jan. 20 is the LGU’s Animal Bite Treatment Center.

 

Inspection of Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz Memorial Hospital. Contributed photo

Preparations are ongoing for the expansion of the Pampanga district hospital Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz Memorial Hospital in Barangay Laquios from its current 25-bed capacity and installation of modern medical equipment under the directive of Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda herself.

 

New building and desks at Arayat National High School. Contributed photo

For this, Mayor Luriz expressed the town’s gratitude to the governor and to Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda “sa walang sawang suporta at patuloy na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng bayan ng Arayat,” citing also the recent completion of a building at the Arayat National High School with a complement of school desks.

Waste management

Aside from the provision of medical services, public health also demands proper waste management. At the mayor’s initiative a new materials recovery facility was constructed in Barangay Tabuan with a compliment of 65 waste segregators to ensure proper garbage sorting. The Department of Science and Technology has been tapped by the LGU to provide training in the three Rs of waste management as well as in composting for fertilizer. 

To address the bane of plastic pollution, the LGU initiated the “Plastic Palit Bigas” program, an exchange of a kilo of rice for every kilo of plastic waste.

Food security, social amelioration

The town primarily agricultural, food security is a major concern of the LGU. 

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, the LGU's sustained support to the farmers comes in measured phases covering cultivation: from the distribution of high-quality, certified inbred rice seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, to the allocation of fertilizers, and irrigation assistance to ensure bountiful harvest. Complementing this is the construction of farm-to-market roads that in 2025 cost some P150 million. 

                                     Fertilizer from DA. Contributed photo

As with the DA for the farmers, so with the Department of Labor and Employment for workers, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for emergency assistance does Mayor Luriz engage for the benefit of his constituents, notably Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

                                            TUPAD payout. Contributed photo

Recognition 

So much accomplishments reported here – so much more unpublished – at such short period of barely seven months since assuming the Arayat mayoralty on July 1, 2025 has made neophyte Mayor Jeffrey Luriz one whiz kid not only in politics but more so in local governance. Proof positive of this are the major awards of recognition he and the LGU under him have been bestowed with:  

 

The Balangay Seal of Excellence, the highest recognition conferred by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to LGUs that have successfully implemented the Barangay Drug Clearing Program.

The 1^st Place winner of the 2025 PEACE Makers (Provincial Excellence Awards for LGU Champions on Effective Implementation of Peace and Order and Public Safety Programs) in Pampanga.

The SubayBAYANI Awards of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to LGUs that excel in transparent, accountable, and participatory governance, especially in monitoring local infrastructure projects, promoting community involvement and innovation for better public service.

The 25^th Gawad KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan), for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management.

In the locality long ago, a catchphrase instantly sounded and was as quickly forgotten because of its emptiness, today resonates in its fullness -- Arangkada, Arayat! And to the catalyst that has made, and still making it happen, the Arayateños cheer: Luid, Luriz!