Surigao Norte gov bares effective local
governance practice, sound fiscal management in 2nd SOPA
By Fryan E. Abkilan
SURIGAO CITY, July 19 (PIA) -- Good governance
and sound fiscal management highlighted the accomplishment report of Governor
Sol Matugas delivered Wednesday, July 18 at the provincial convention center,
this city.
In her second State of the Province Address
(SOPA), Matugas focused on how the present administration transformed the
previous state of the province into a world-class functioning, efficient and
achievement-laden delivery of public services under the HEALS agenda (Health,
Education & Environment, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Livelihood &
Tourism, Social Services, Security & Senior Citizens).
The governor’s speech dealt with gains and
improvement of the provincial government local governance, as well as
education, human resource management, tourism, public health delivery, disaster
management, agriculture, peace and order, infrastructure, and a number of
recognitions given to the province.
“Because of our good practices in local
governance, we received this year, P7 million as performance challenge fund
from the Department of the Interior and Local Government through Secretary
Jesse M. Robredo,” she said.
The lady governor also emphasized the
strengthened sound financial management, which was on top of her priorities.
“The province was able to obtain grants and generate income of P667 million in
my first year and I am pleased to report to you that we were able to generate
P266.9 million more in year two, or a 40 percent increase, bringing it to P
933.43 million.”
Matugas said it is only in her administration
that regular employees enjoyed two salary increase. This year, Matugas said
there will be another salary increase in October.
According to Matugas, good financial management
does not end with effective/efficient resource generation. “This administration
considers that good resource allocation and utilization is equally important.
Thus, we strictly observed the synchronized planning-budgeting process in
consultation with NGOs, duly approved by the provincial development council and
the sangguniang panlalawigan in the form of an annual investment plan which is
our basis for budgeting.” (RER/FEA-PIA 13, Surigao del Norte)
NGOs report PAMANA projects' status
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, July 19 (PIA) -- The New Tubigon
bailey bridge connecting Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat and Barangay San Juan,
Bayugan City is in good condition.
This is based on the report of Educational
Discipline in Culture and Area-based Development Services, Inc. (EDCADS), a
nongovernment organization (NGO) accredited by PAMANA and the provincial
government here to monitor the status and situation of all PAMANA projects
implemented.
The New Tubigon bailey bridge, which crosses the
Andanan River, was inaugurated and turned over last February 22, 2012. It is 18
linear meters long and made mostly of light materials that can only cater light
vehicles like motorcycles and carts.
New Tubigon Barangay Captain Librado Felizilda
said the route from New Tubigon via San Juan using the new bridge going to
Bayugan City reduces their travelling distance by about 30 kilometers compared
to the original route they use before, passing thru the mountains and small
rivers, with almost impassable roads before reaching Poblacion Sibagat.
EDCADS also said out of 20 respondents
interviewed, 19 of them said they are satisfied with the rehabilitation of the
Andanan bailey bridge and that there are no greater threats in passing the
bridge.
A farm-to-market road (FMR) that connects eight
barangays comprising 2,113 households in Bayugan City is the Pinagalaan FMR,
6.84 kilometers long with some P25 million cost. As of May 12, based on a
report of Propegemus Foundation, an NGO, the physical accomplishment of the
project is 30.05 percent, with financial accomplishment of almost P7 million
while construction is still on-going.
The Pinagalaan FMR will connect the barangays of
Osmena, Magkiangkang, Villa Undayon, New Salem, Mt. Carmel, Pinagalaan, Sta.
Teresita and New Lanao, all in Bayugan City.
The last PAMANA project reported by an NGO
called the Sibog Katawhan Alang sa Paglambo, Inc. (SIKAP) is the rehabilitation
of 15 kilometers FMR from the national road junction to Don Alejandro,
Mahayahay and Binicalan, all in the municipality of San Luis, with an
appropriation of P3.4 million. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Bicol University Ph.D. studes visit Butuan City
By PSupt Martin M Gamba
BUTUAN CITY, July 19 (PIA) -- Doctorate students
of Bicol University Graduate Studies Camp Crame Extension Program composed of
officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) with professors
recently visited this city on their educational tour.
In consonance with their subjects PhD PASA 311:
Moral Recovery and Peacekeeping and PhD PASA 344: Individual, Family and
Society, the educators taking up Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Security
Administration and their professors arrived in Butuan on July 13, 2012. A
courtesy call followed at the office of Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.
The guests also had prolific interaction and
information sharing with the graduate studies students of Caraga State
University, with University President, Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca early morning of
July 14.
Moreover, the guests witnessed the rich history,
distinct culture and progressive infrastructure of Butuan City as they stepped
in various spots of Butuan City.
“Butuan is indeed an exciting source of cultural
and historical artifacts in Mindanao,” said Arnel F. Fernandez, class
president.
The guests had a truly enriching and
unforgettable experience through the historic tour and the successful
completion of an enormous task. (RER/NCLM/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
PRO 13 conducts anti-illegal logging seminar
By PSupt Martin M Gamba
BUTUAN CITY, July 19 (PIA) -- Police Regional
Office (PRO)-13 on Tuesday conducted a seminar on anti-illegal logging in
pursuit of the government's drive to stop illegal logging activities
nationwide.
This is in line with Executive Order 23 issued
by President Aquino, implementing the indefinite log ban and creating an
Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force to be headed by Environment and Natural
Resources Secretary Ramon Paje.
President Aquino also tasked Philippine National
Police (PNP) Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome to help the task force in
the implementation of EO 23.
During the seminar, Rafal directed all the
provincial directors, assistant provincial directors, deputy provincial
directors for operation and chiefs of police to deeply understand and
effectively implement EO 23 and other DENR laws.
Rafal added Caraga region is rich in forest
resources and cutting of trees has been part of the cultural activities of
indigenous people. He said said Caraga police will give its full support in the
implementation of EO 23 subject to strict compliance with existing guidelines
of the DENR to prevent illegal logging, which is the main culprit of flooding
and landslides that cause significant loss of lives and damage to properties.
Aside from Rafal, resource persons include
forester Ronaldo D. Gadot, Camilo Emmanuel Soriano, Romy Ladroma, all of
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC); Police Senior
Superintendent Ferdinand G. Sevilla, Deputy Regional Director for Operations
and Raul Rosales, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO),
Agusan del Norte. (RER/NCLM/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Mindanao infrastructure budget focused on
improving road connectivity
MANILA, July 19 (PIA) -- Mindanao, which
currently has the lowest ratio of paved roads to overall road infrastructure
among the country’s regions, is now set to get a larger allocation from the national
government’s proposed annual budget for infrastructure.
This was reported by Secretary Rogelio Singson
of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), at a roundtable
discussion among business leaders and senior officials on Mindanao infrastructure
policy held recently at the Traders Hotel according to a press statement from
Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.
The roundtable was organized by the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Mindanao Development Authority
(MinDA) with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
through its GEM Program, which is implemented under the oversight of MinDA.
“Sixty-nine percent of national roads in
Mindanao are unpaved. Mindanao has the lowest paved road ratio,” said Secretary
Singson. “It is clear that Mindanao should get a bigger share of the budget.”
Under the proposed FY2013 budget, Mindanao will
receive PhP27.62 billion, or 26.1 percent of the national infrastructure
budget, up from PhP20.4 billion the previous year.
Infrastructure budget allocations for the other
regions are as follows: Northern Luzon - 24.1 percent; Southern Luzon - 20.4
percent; the National Capital Region - 14.6 percent, and Visayas -19.4 percent.
“Our objectives are to improve the country’s
attractiveness as an investment destination by enabling seamless connectivity,
and to lower the costs of communication and transportation,” said Angelito
Colona, PCCI vice president for transportation and logistics.
Secretary Singson also pointed out the
bottlenecks in implementing road infrastructure projects in Mindanao, including
right of way and security issues, shortage of cement suppliers in parts of the
region, the practice of truck overloading which results in faster road
deterioration, and the need to integrate ports and airports with road systems.
The meeting included a presentation by the
Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association, on issues affecting freight rates
in domestic shipping, focusing on Mindanao.
The roundtable was part of the run-up to the
21st Mindanao Business Conference, or “MinBizCon,” which will be held August
2-4 in Butuan City. The highlight of the annual conference is the presentation
of the Mindanao Business Policy Agenda to President Benigno Aquino III.
The formulation of the agenda began with
broad-based regional policy consultations held in Mindanao’s major cities to
identify and address bottlenecks that hold back trade and investment, and to
clarify government rules, regulations and timelines.
Drawing on the outputs of these consultations, a
draft policy agenda was compiled by MinDA in collaboration with PCCI. The draft
listed the most urgent policy concerns, as well as required government actions
and private sector commitments.
The regional consultations were followed by
high-level roundtables focusing on specific sectors, including infrastructure,
which were held in Manila on July 3-4 with MinDA and Cabinet officials and
private sector representatives for a thorough review of the draft policy
agenda, and for government to formulate appropriate responses. (Growth for
Equity in Mindanao/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog news: Caraga disaster council bubuo ng
reg’l risk profile
By Danilo S. Makiling
BUTUAN CITY, Hulyo 19 (PIA) -- Ang regional
disaster risk reduction and management council (RDRRMC)-Caraga Region ay
magsasagawa ng isang writeshop upang bumuo ng regional risk profile na
gaganapin sa Hulyo 31 hanggang Agosto 1 sa Tavern Hotel, Surigao City.
Ayon kay Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga
Regional Director at RDRRMC Chairperson Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, ang pagbuo ng
risk profile ay parte ng limang taong Comprehensive Regional Strategic Action
Plan na magbibigay ng detalyadong impormasyon hinggil sa risk at vulnerability
ng rehiyon sa panahon ng kalamidad.
Ang aktibidad ay dadaluhan ng RDRRMC technical
working group galing sa iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno sa pangunguna ng OCD.
(RER/DSM/PIA-Caraga)
