2025 SOMA: Report of progress, transparency, direction- Mayor Matt

(photo courtesy of Cyren Almaden)

“Today, I humbly present the State of the Municipality of Kananga. A progressive, transparent, and truthful account of our accomplishments, our challenges, and our collective direction as a progressive local government,” said Kananga Mayor Hon. Mayor Manuel Vicente “Matt” Torres during his opening statement of his 2025 State of the Municipality Address (SOMA), December 22, 2025, at the Kananga Gymnasium.

Before the members of the local legislative branch, headed by Vice Mayor Hon. Miguel Jorge Tan, barangay officials, youth representatives, civic-oriented groups, and other stakeholders, Mayor Torres reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pursuing inclusive development, resilient infrastructure, peace and order, fiscal discipline, environmental stewardship, and people-centered governance to improve the quality of life of Kanangahanons.

Peace and Order

According to Mayor Torres, peace and security remained one of the priorities of his administration.

The mayor stressed that the local government unit (LGU) of Kananga is always coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), traffic office, and other line agencies to ensure Kananga remains safe.

“In close coordination with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, the municipal government of Kananga intensified its campaign against illegal drugs. A total of 22 operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 23 individuals. Authorities confiscated 420.3 grams of shabu with an estimated value of Php 2,888,560,” said Torres.

Moreover, he also informed that the LGU’s campaign against wanted persons has become relentless, leading to the arrest of 44 wanted individuals, including one most wanted person at the regional level, four wanted persons at the provincial level, and three most wanted persons at the municipal level.

Illegal Gambling

Mayor Torres also said that he is not letting up in his efforts to end illegal gambling in the municipality.

He said that a total of 15 illegal gambling operations have been conducted this year, leading to the arrest of 46 individuals.

“Walay lugar dinhe sa Kananga ang mga iligalista. Usbon ko, wala silay lugar dire. (Illegalists do not have a place here in Kananga. I will repeat, they do not have a space here),” Mayor Torres emphasized.

Grassroots Governance

Mayor Torres shared that the LGU brought basic services to the communities through various outreach programs, including Pasalamat on Wheels and barangayan activities.

Moreover, he said that the LGU provided assistance in the implementation of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), benefiting thousands of individuals.

The Kananga LGU also carried out supplemental feeding for 600 children and distributed school supplies to child laborers and children with special needs.

“We also brought essential government services directly to the people through Serbisyo Caravans conducted in barangays San Isidro, Aguiting, Tagaytay, and Lonoy, strengthening community engagement and public trust,” the mayor of the first-class municipality said.

“Ang serbisyo dile lang maghuwat sa opisina, ang serbisyo dad-on nato sa katawhan (Public service should not await in the office, it must be brought to the people),” he said.

Environment and Climate

Mayor Torres also highlighted that his government continued to implement measures geared toward protecting and conserving the environment, as well as mitigating climate change impacts.

Mayor Torres said that the solid waste material facility of Kananga is already in full operation and serves all barangays of the municipality.

“We also carried out tree planting activities, cleanup drives, and information and dissemination campaigns on environmental laws in all barangays, reinforcing environmental awareness and shared responsibility,” he said.

Mayor Torres also informed that, with the help of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Kananga’s disaster response mechanism has been institutionalized.

Infrastructure Updates

“Infrastructure remains the backbone of Kananga’s development, improving access, safety, and the quality of life. Kung lig-on ang pundasyon, lig-on ang lungsod. Lig-on sad ang atong kaugmaon (If the foundation is strong, the municipality is also strong. Then, our future is also stable),” said Mayor Torres.

“We undertook repairs and improvements at school facilities in Kananga National High School and Tugbong Elementary School, the construction of the perimeter fence at Libertad Elementary School, and the turnover of two classroom buildings at both Kananga National High School and Natubgan Elementary School,” he added.

Mayor Matt stressed that he will always put education at the forefront of his development plans, as investing in the youth is the key to a better Kananga.

“Kay ang edukasyon mao g’yud ang pinakamaayong puhunan sa umaabot. We need better facilities for our children kay sila ang kaugmaon nato. (Education is the best investment for the future. We need better facilities for our children because they are our future).”

Mayor Torres also shared that for the past years, Kananga has been a consistent champion in the Area Athletic Meet, serving as solid proof of the positive returns of investing in the youth.

Housing, Safety, and Community

Mayor Torres also informed that his government ensures that all displaced Kanangahanons are relocated to decent housing complete with basic services.

“We implemented the construction of temporary shelters for displaced informal settlers in Brgy. Libongao, including additional centers and the construction of retaining walls leading to the NHA temporary shelter area, ensuring the safety of our constituents,” Mayor Torres said.

Mayor Torres also said that the construction of roads connecting to relocation sites is ongoing, including the installation of basic facilities such as water systems and electricity.

Moreover, Mayor Matt informed of the construction of a footbridge in Brgy. Santo Niño, improvements to the fence and gate of the barangay complex in Montebello, the construction of additional cemeteries in Montebello, and construction and landscaping projects at the new government center.

Roads, Connectivity, and Mobility

Mayor Torres said that Kananga now has more completed and resurfaced roads, particularly in barangays Libongao, Montebello, and Poblacion.

Road extensions in Brgy. Poblacion and the rehabilitation of local access roads in barangays Masarayao and San Ignacio, as well as road concreting and opening at the new government center, the road going to the sanitary landfill, and the road leading to the NHA temporary shelter, have also been completed.

“These projects significantly reduced travel time, improved safety, and enhanced access to services,” Mayor Torres said.

Farm and Agriculture

Mayor Torres also stressed that ever since, he has envisioned empowering farmers; thus, he prioritized the construction of farm-to-market roads, including those in Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Brgy. Mahawan, Brgy. Cacao, Brgy. Libertad, Brgy. Hiloctugan, and the Kananga Diversion Road.

“Kung hapsay ang mga dalan nato sayon pud ang panginabuhian (If our roads are organized, livelihoods of our people will also get easier),” Mayor Torres said.

Mayor Torres also shared that, with the help of the Kananga Municipal Agriculture Office, the municipality implemented comprehensive programs on crop production, livestock and animal health, farmer protection, and farm mechanization, improving the efficiency and income of Kanangahanon farmers.

Moreover, the local chief executive said that the LGU of Kananga successfully ran rice production and seed and fertilizer support programs that benefited 2,755 rice farmers, covering 3,704 hectares of farmland.

Kananga also issued farmer discount vouchers amounting to Php 1.8 million, supporting planting activities on 1,400 hectares of land.

Basic Utilities

Mayor Torres informed Kanangahanons of the continued efforts of the local government in providing reliable and affordable basic utilities.

Mayor Torres said that he instructed the expansion of Kananga’s water system facilities and spearheaded rural electrification programs, particularly in Brgy. Libongao.

He also cited LGU-led provision of renewable energy-based electricity in barangays Rizal and Kawayan.

Mayor Torres also reported the installation of streetlights in barangays Libongao, Poblacion, and Tugbong.

To help Kanangahanons with energy costs, Mayor Torres also approved the release of energy cost subsidies that benefited 7,285 households.

Recognitions

Mayor Torres proudly informed Kanangahanons that, due to the collective efforts of all LGU offices, the municipal mayor was recently cited as one of the top-performing municipal mayors in the province of Leyte.

“Kine nga pasidungog dile ni para sa mayor lang, kine nga recognition para ni sa atong tanan Kanangahanon (This recognition is not only for the mayor, this recognition is for us all Kanangahanons),” said Mayor Torres.

Mayor Torres informed that for fiscal year 2024, Kananga recorded the highest tax collections, reflecting efficiency, stronger taxpayer compliance, and growing public trust in the local government.

Moreover, the Municipality of Kananga also posted the highest locally sourced revenues for fiscal year 2024, helping sustain its vital programs.

Mayor Torres also said that Kananga received zero notices of disallowance in the latest COA audit, signifying the LGU’s transparency and strong accountability.

With Kananga’s proper handling and management of funds, it hurdled the Good Financial Housekeeping Assessment, not only for this year but for several years already.

Mayor Torres said that Kananga was hailed as a regional champion for good local governance.

“I would like to thank ako mga kauban sa buhat, dile ni nako makuha nga award kung dile mo mutrabaho (I would like to thank my co-public servants, because if not for their hard work, I will not be getting this award),” said Mayor Torres.

Mayor Torres further informed that, for the second time, Kananga’s Sangguniang Bayan (SB) was declared a regional champion in the Local Legislative Award. He is hopeful that soon, Kananga’s SB will win the national citation for the said prestigious award.

“Magkahiusa ‘ta, magtinabangay sa atong vision, ang mga awards pakapin na lang na. Serbisyo ‘ta ug tarong ang award musunod na lang na (Let us be united, help each other for our shared vision, awards are just add-ons. We just serve well and awards will just come in),” Mayor Torres said.

Mayor Torres ended his SOMA by saying that as long as he is the mayor of Kananga, he will do his best to deliver the best and right kind of services to all Kanangahanons.