Nathan Sergio
Major Accomplishments
Nathan Sergio served for three terms as City Councilor of Naga 2007 until 2016. His legislative works were primarily concerned with healthcare, heritage protection, and PWD rights. He is a multi-awarded public servant with 27 years of experience in government service having previously served as Chief of the Urban Poor Affairs and as Secretary to the Mayor.
Urban Poor Program
Designed the city’s program for the urban poor, aptly called Kaantabay sa Kauswagan Program, which is the reason why there are many city projects for on-site land acquisition and for resettlement areas, which in turn squarely and effectively address the poor’s lack of security of land tenure. Through Nathan's leadership, the UPAO was recognized as one of the best locally-initiated programs in the Philippines in 1994 and received the Galing Pook Award. In 1996, UPAO was cited as one of the Top 40 Best Practices in the World by the United Nations Center on Human Settlement (Habitat II).
Institutionalized the Blood Program
Author of Ordinance 2007-002 which institutionalized the city’s Blood Program, a life-saving program for those needing serious medical intervention, and for victims of natural calamities and man-made disasters. As the program’s Executive Director for almost 7 years, on a pro bono basis, and in addition to his legislative duties, he made the program worked for everyone in need of blood, even for those Naguenos confined in hospitals in Metro Manila. With a remarkable record of zero-complaint from the public throughout his management, the Program was able to clinch for the city the DOH National Sandugo Award for three times, plus similar award for several city barangays, too.
Land Use
As Chairman of the SP Committee on Land Use, through Ordinance 2008-079, he improved the guidelines on approving new housing subdivisions in Naga City, thereby resulting to quicker decision-making without sacrificing thorough evaluation of the plans and documents submitted.
Remarkably, some 11 new private housing subdivision projects were processed and approved during his tenure as chairman of said committee—a record high in the city! These projects have created job opportunities for numerous skilled and unskilled construction workers, and also for professionals (i.e. engineers, architects, interior designers, and real estate brokers including theirs sales agents). These also created business opportunities to hardware and lumber stores, to landscapers and ornamental plant sellers, and to our local sub-contractors. And these all translate to helping create a vibrant economy for the city, in addition to creating steady regular source of revenue for the city (i.e. realty tax, business tax), which is important in the continued and enhanced implementation of basic social services to the people of Naga like education and health.
Created the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)
Author of the Ordinance 2010 -099 creating the city’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), thus institutionalizing programs for the PWDs, so that this sector is properly attended to, protected and served not merely during the National Disability Week but year-round, in accordance with the law.
Implemented a Budget Increase for SCs and PWDs
Principal author of Ordinance 2010-066 which mandates regular fund allocation for the sectors of PWD and of Senior Citizens (at least 1% of the annual budget for each sector). The reason why City Hall and the 27 barangays have ample funds for the said sectors, which in turn encouraged these sectors to get organized among themselves and work collectively for their welfare and advancement.
Facilitated Road Opening Projects
As the designated Officer-in-Charge of Special Projects in the City Mayor's Office, he was instrumental in realizing the by-pass road project, now called Almeda Highway. This, despite strong doubts from certain City Hall Officials then who deemed the project "too good to be true." The Almeda Highway helped decongest the worsening traffic situation along the Concepcion Highway and has continually brought in new investments, businesses, job opportunities, and revenue sources to Naga City (i.e. the Robinson Mall, private high-end subdivision projects, gasoline station and a hotel).
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He was also instrumental for other road opening projects including the Matiway Road which links Balatas and San Felipe, and the Sabang-Mabolo By-pass Road linking the Feliz Plazo Street and the short road behind the Naga City Civic Center. Also included are the road widening projects at the following, viz: the main road entrance to Barangay Liboton, the Mangga Street in Sta. Cruz leading to ADNU Gate 2; and the corner of Misericordia and M. Castro Streets in Barangay Tinago.
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Heritage Conservation
He passed various legislations related to local history, culture and heritage preservation -- Naga being one of the four Spanish colonial cities in the Philippines such as the observance of Fil-Hispano Day; the commemoration day for Bicolano patriot Jose Maria Panganiban; the protection of the rare monument honoring JOMAPA; the declaration of USI Naga Campus as a national historical landmark in time for the school’s 150th foundation anniversary; the regular upkeep and protection of public plazas considered as hallowed grounds in downtown Naga, other initiatives.
Improved Services at the Local Civil Registrar's Office
He introduced systems improvement and physical changes at the Local Civil Registrar’s Office (LCRO), making it client-friendly, capable of responding quickly to the public’s requests for vital documents, and thereby, eradicating delays of needed action and incessant public complaints altogether.
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