Outgoing Second District Representative Joey Salceda declared recently that Legazpi City, the capital of Albay province and the regional center of the Bicol Region, will be the driving force behind the province's pursuit of progress.

Salceda made the statement at the launch of his campaign, as he seeks to continue his "Global Albay" vision if elected governor in the 12 May elections.

"Legazpi provides jobs for our people, markets for our products, credit for our businesses, and schools for our young and gifted," Salceda said in a statement. "It is the window to the soul of the people of Albay. The people’s first view of Legazpi is their first impression of Albay."

Salceda stressed that Albay is not only known for Mayon Volcano but also for its thriving businesses. He noted that the Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, based in Legazpi City, is the second oldest in the Philippines, a testament to the province's historical strength in the abaca industry.

Reflecting on the past two decades, Salceda observed an "unprecedented infrastructure boom" in Legazpi City when local leaders' visions aligned with representatives on the national level.

"For my part, we opened new roads linking Legazpi to its suburbs and neighboring towns, farms to urban centers, the new Albay International Airport and tourism sites," Salceda said.

He also cited expansions at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center, the establishment of the Bicol Cancer Center and Bicol Heart Center, and the creation of the Bicol University College of Medicine.

Under Salceda's tenure, Bicol University's facilities were modernized, the Legazpi City National High School was expanded, and social infrastructure projects including 58 covered courts, health facilities, 140 classrooms, and evacuation centers were constructed.

Salceda attributed Legazpi City's significant gains partly to being the regional city with the largest number of representatives in Congress, at one point having six.

Looking ahead, Salceda said he aims to complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones to further elevate Albay and Legazpi City on the global stage.

His plans include attracting more international flights, strengthening Legazpi as the primary gateway for foreign tourists to the Almasor (Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon) Tourism Circuit, and developing the Legazpi Global City at the site of the old domestic airport, with a Bicol International Sports Stadium as a centerpiece.

"We will also intensify our efforts to fix Legazpi’s water facilities, with an initial earmarked budget of P385 million," Salceda said.

"We will likewise prepare Legazpi for greater things by making it more attractive to more investors and investments, with the Albay Electric Cooperative modernization, now being implemented with a budget of P1.2 billion, to stabilize supply and reduce systems loss, thus lower power rates. These are significant stewards the realization of our goal to make Legazpi the first Highly Urbanized City of Bicol," he added.