CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – On a humid afternoon, with the scent of the sea drifting from Maqueda Bay and the voices of children echoing from nearby barangays, Mayor Dexter Uy steps onto the stage of a small covered court in Barangay Lagundi—not as a politician asking for votes, but as a young man making a quiet promise.
“I know this journey is far from easy,” he tells the gathered residents in Waray. “Makuri ngan damo it aton pag-aagihan san-o naton makab-otan ini nga dose nga agenda.” (“This journey will not be easy, and we will face many challenges before we can achieve these twelve goals.”)
At just 31, Dexter Uy is the youngest mayor in Catbalogan’s history. Now, with the May 12 polls approaching, he’s asking for a renewed mandate—not to finish the work, but to continue planting the seeds of transformation.
The Sower of Change
Mayor Uy calls it “Pagtanum”—a roadmap that began in earnest in 2022. “We are still sowing the seeds of development,” he said during the 2024 State of the City Address.
“We are fixing what needs to be fixed, replacing what must be replaced, and revamping what demands a new vision.”
That vision has taken root through a now-expanded Derecho Uswag agenda, comprising ten development pillars (plus two additional cultural and youth pillars): governance, health, disaster resilience, education, social protection, environment, peace and order, economic growth, food security, and culture. These thrusts—tagged with vibrant labels like #KAHIMSOGKatbalogan for health and #KINAADMANKatbalogan for education—form the scaffolding of a city in motion.
And the impact is showing.
Governance With Feet on the Ground
One of Mayor Uy’s most lauded initiatives is the City Hall-At-Your-Doorstep Caravan. “Before, people had to walk hours just to get to City Hall,” said Marites, a barangay health worker in Guinsorongan.
“Now, City Hall comes to us.”
Medical and dental services, national ID registration, HPV vaccines—even free haircuts—are delivered to far-flung barangays like Darahuway Daco and Albalate. “We don’t just deliver services,” Uy says.
“We deliver dignity.”
This hands-on approach reflects what he calls derecho governance—public service that meets people where they are.
Digital and Transparent
Under the #KARIGONKatbalogan banner, Catbalogan is becoming smarter and more efficient. Its digital transformation—featuring platforms like CatProCart (procurement), VTS (vehicle tracking), EmPort (employee portal), and BOMS (business one-stop shop)—has increased transparency and streamlined public service.
In recognition, Catbalogan ranked 2nd Most Improved Component City in the 2023 CMCI and bagged the prestigious 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance.
Health, Resilience, and Lifelines
Healthcare has taken major strides with the accreditation of its Primary Care Facility, the opening of the Derecho Uswag Catbalogan Dialysis Center, and the newly established Animal Bite Treatment Center—vital additions under #KAHIMSOGKatbalogan. “This center is more than just a building,” Uy said during the inauguration.
“It’s a lifeline.”
On another front, Project ANDAM, part of #KAMAANDAMKatbalogan, empowers communities to respond to natural hazards. Catbalogan’s disaster preparedness efforts were recently honored with the 2024 Gawad KALASAG award.
Learning Close to Home
For the youth, #KINAADMANKatbalogan marks a leap forward with the launch of the Catbalogan City Community College, bringing higher education within reach. The city also supported Brigada Eskwela and distributed 842 orbit fans to public schools, improving classroom environments.
Caring for All
Social protection is another cornerstone. Under #KAMAATAMANKatbalogan, Catbalogan continues to earn accolades as a Child-Friendly Local Governance awardee (2022–2024) and a 2024 Gawad Serbisyong Mahusay recipient. The ongoing construction of a PWD and Senior Citizens Center ensures that inclusion is not just a promise, but a structure being built.
Clean, Green, and Future-Ready
Through #KALIBUNGANKatbalogan, the city has launched its Solid Waste Management Complex, closed its old dumpsite, and rolled out the Kababayen-an Kontra Basura (KKB) program—highlighting its commitment to sustainability.
Safe Streets, Thriving Economy
Public safety is being strengthened through the City Law Enforcement Auxiliary Office, Balay Silangan for drug reform, and a stronger Peace and Order Council under #KAMURAYAWKatbalogan.
Meanwhile, the city’s economic engine (#KARIBHONGKatbalogan) is revving up. Local revenue collection grew by 15.7%, surpassing ₱100 million for the second consecutive year, while big names like McDonald’s, Metro, and Mr. DIY have set up shop. MSME Week and the City Seascape Enterprises program signal the city’s commitment to supporting local businesses.
Feeding the Future
In the pursuit of food security under #KASIGURADUHANKatbalogan, the city introduced new cassava varieties (Lakan 1 and Rayong 5), revived Gulayan sa Paaralan, and passed City Ordinance 2023-030 to protect coastal livelihoods.
Culture and Youth at the Core
Catbalogan is celebrating its soul through #KULTURAKatbalogan—publishing Pagtilitol ngan Pagtimon, hosting the Regional Festival of Talents, and earning back-to-back wins at the Tandaya Festival.
Young Catbaloganons shine under #KABATAANKatbalogan. The Kabataan Katbalogan Youth Center has become a hub for skills and leadership, while local athletes achieved an improved medal standing at EVRAA 2024.
These accomplishments and program milestones were confirmed by City Administrator Atty. Dennis Cosmod, who emphasized that “every initiative under Derecho Uswag is designed to respond directly to the needs of the people—rooted in service, driven by results.”
A City in Celebration, A People in Motion
Mayor Uy’s red-carpet-style 2024 SOCA, presented as a series of short films, captured the heart of his leadership: development through storytelling, policy through people. “We are all part of a larger story of transformation,” he said. And that story continues.
One More Chapter
As Catbaloganons head to the polls on May 12, the choice is not just about a name—it’s about momentum, trust, and direction. “Let our answer be our hard work, our good intentions, and our results,” Uy says.
With Derecho Uswag as both mantra and mission, Mayor Dexter Uy is asking to continue sowing the seeds—for a Catbalogan that blooms, not just in the years ahead, but for generations to come. A Catbalogan envisioned as a sustainable and resilient global metropolis anchored on transformative and inclusive governance by 2040.
| Special Feature by Ricky J. Bautista, The Samar Chronicle; All photos courtesy of Mayor Dexter Uy and CTCAIO
