Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson is setting the tone for his final term with a vision to reshape Himamaylan through infrastructure and mobile connectivity projects.
In an interview following his oath-taking on Wednesday, June 25, Tongson said that his administration will focus on strengthening all city government agencies to ensure inclusive and balanced development.
However, he also offered a preview of what he described as “very big projects” that will anchor his final three years in office. These include the completion of the city’s commercial port by the end of 2025 and the construction of a coliseum and auditorium.
Tongson also disclosed ongoing discussions with an international firm for a proposed P12-billion tunnel road that would connect Himamaylan to Tayasan in Negros Oriental.
He said that the project is expected to reduce travel time and complement existing roadwork by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the same corridor.
Tongson also touted an upland expressway now in the pipeline—an alternative route meant to cut through interior barangays and link directly to long-stalled Kabankalan Domestic Airport, which has remained unfinished for more than 15 years.
He said the city is now exploring funding sources to advance the project.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Tongson shared that the city is working with Philtower Corporation to improve mobile connectivity in underserved barangays, aiming to address persistent signal issues.
He said Philtower has begun mapping potential sites across the city as part of its preparatory work and eyes to begin operations in Himamaylan within one to two years.
Tongson emphasized that before his term ends in 2028, he wants to leave behind lasting projects that will benefit Himamaylanons for years to come.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.