Surigao City govt’s infra projects worth P69-M
implemented in 2013
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – In time with his
fourth State of Local Governance Performance Report (SLGPR) held on Thursday at
the gymnasium here, City Mayor Ernesto “Nitoy” Matugas bared several
infrastructure projects of the city government that were implemented last year.
“Total implemented infrastructure projects in
2013 amounted to more than P69.1-million with an over-all accomplishment of 95
percent. Although there were lesser projects implemented numbering only 231
compared to the previous year’s 235, the value of the projects involved
increased by as much as 32 percent compared to year 2012,” revealed Matugas.
Matugas, further announced that a total of 90
projects for the maintenance, repair, improvement of roads and bridges,
including line canals, drainage culverts, curbs and gutters and slope
protection amounting to more than P23.1-million were implemented.
“More than P13-million was spent for 25 school
building projects and P8.8-million for 40 water system projects. We have also
completed 67 projects covering the construction, repair, improvement of public
buildings, day care centers, health centers, waiting sheds, covered courts,
barangay halls and multi-purpose buildings amounting to P19.1-million. Others
cover street lighting and public facilities amounting to P2.85 million,” added
Matugas.
As the Local Chief Executive since 2010, Mayor
Nitoy is focused on a style of governance putting emphasis on efficiency and
productivity. He has started to recognize and implement new policies aimed at
making City Hall and its employees more effective in delivering basic services,
resources and fiscal management, attract foreign investments, increase, develop
and maximize the tourism potentials of Surigao City, and implement sustainable
programs that will create an impact and improve the quality of life of all
Surigaonons. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
State of city address highlights Surigao’s
accomplishments in 2013
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – The State of Local
Governance Report rendered today by City mayor Ernesto T. Matugas during the
regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod at the city auditorium
highlighted last year’s significant performances and recognitions.
“For the third consecutive year, we are once
again a Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) awardee (silver category) by the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The SGH is given to local
government units as recognition for good governance performance in internal
housekeeping particularly on four areas, namely good planning; sound fiscal
management; transparency and accountability; and valuing of performance
monitoring,” bared Matugas.
Mayor Matugas cited another recognition of the
town being considered by National Competitiveness Council as the 13th most
competitive city in the Philippines.
He said that being on the top 13 out of the 122
cities that was surveyed and rated is already a significant achievement for a
small city like Surigao competing with highly urbanized cities and metropolitan
cities all over the country.
“Since my incumbency beginning in 2010, we have
been the Regional Winner of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi for two consecutive years
in 2011 and 2012. This is of course on top of all the other accolades we have
received through the years which include the retaining of the award as
Child-Friendly City in 2012, Regional Winner as Best 4Ps Program Implementer,
and several others,” reiterated Matugas.
The mayor further pointed these out as a product
of greater cooperation and convergence with the local legislators especially
the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, departments in the city government
office, various national government agencies, civil society groups, business
sector and the academe.
In his speech, he also acknowledged the
contribution of the provincial government headed by governor Sol F. Matugas and
that of the constituents. “This state of local governance report is a product
of all our efforts and joint undertakings,” underscored Matugas.
“Your overwhelming support is indeed
heartwarming and this will truly provide us with a stronger resolve to work
harder with the reforms and initiatives we have made for the greater benefit of
our people,” he added.
In its entirety, the mayor’s state of local
governance report covered the aspects on governance and administration, social
development, economic development, environmental management, and infrastructure
development. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao City dad’s SLGPR highlights
accomplishments on education
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – In his fourth
State of Local Governance Performance Report (SLGPR), city mayor Ernesto
Matugas highlighted his administration’s accomplishments on education, held
Thursday at the city gymnasium.
“In 2013, the city government appropriated P16
million from the Special Education Fund to support the education sector. This
covers the honoraria of 86 school board teachers and 21 non-teaching staff,
including the payment of their year-end benefits in the form of additional
honorarium for the teachers and additional wages for those under job-order
employment. An amount of P1.45 million was used for the construction of a
Division Library Hub at Navarro Memorial Central Elementary School while P0.250
million was used for the survey of 16 school sites, in preparation for
titling,” bared Matugas.
The good mayor also revealed that there was a
decreasing trend in the Cohort survival rates both in the elementary and
secondary levels. “This could be attributed to several factors which force the
child to engage instead in income generating activities to help augment the
family income. School leavers’ rate showed a decreasing trend in the elementary
level but was fluctuating in the secondary level. The Completion rate for all
levels showed an increasing trend both for kindergarten and elementary level. A
slight decrease, however, was noted in the secondary level. National
Achievement Test – Mean Percentage Score (NAT-MPS) for Grade VI elementary and
4th Year secondary were consistently improving in the past three academic
years,” he explained.
A total of 27 classrooms were completed last
year, one multi-purpose building and the new City Schools Division Office.
Thus, Matugas expressed his warm thanks and gratitude to those who extended
their contributions, especially from the private sector who tirelessly
supported the government education facility improvement efforts.
Also, Matugas reported that in 2013, the
Alternative Learning System (ALS) program was given a big boost with the
completion of the ALS and Women’s Center at Barangay Taft. P2-million facility
was realized through the efforts of Gov. Sol Matugas of Surigao del Norte, and
a Learning Resource Center was constructed for District III in Barangay San
Juan through funds provided by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the
city government.
“Likewise, the Hinatuan Mining Corporation
assisted the implementation of the ALS program in Barangays San Pedro, Nonoc,
Talisay and Cantiasay as part of its community outreach and corporate social
responsibility. The test registrants for ALS A&E increased from 676 to
1,288,” he added.
Through the City Scholarship Program, poor but
deserving students were also able to enroll in the different technical
vocational institution and higher education learning institutions in the city.
The city government has allocated close to P5.9 million to ensure that poverty
is not a hindrance to the students’ quest for a higher education. “Of the total
320 scholars, about 19 percent graduated in School Year 2012-2013,” relayed
Matugas.
Meanwhile, to address the concerns of the women
and the out-of-school youth, the city government provided technical vocation
education and training to them, as well as to the untrained adults through the
operation of the Livelihood Training and Productivity Center (LTPC) in Barangay
Luna. Some 678 trainees in three batches were able to complete short term
technical-vocational courses in 2013, with Basic Computer Education posting the
most number of enrollees.
“The Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) provided P4.9-million in support of the Training for Work
Scholarship Program (TWSP). Of the 225 enrollees, 100 percent graduated and
assessed, and 200 were certified. The Cash for Training Program (C4TP) on the
other hand, produced 39 graduates and 27 were certified. 15 of them availed of
the training on entrepreneurial skills development and received Starter Tool
Kits based on their chosen qualifications such as computer hardware servicing,
commercial cooking and automotive servicing,” he disclosed.
Matugas commended the teachers, school
administrators and the city schools division management for a job well done.
“The city government recognizes all your efforts in bringing quality education.
Thank you for your commitment and untiring love for the students. You have been
a great part of this success,” he emphasized. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao City dad reports actions on
administrative governance
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – City mayor Ernesto
Matugas, recounted the administrative governance carried out during his term as
he delivered his State of Local Governance Report held at the city auditorium
here, today.
The mayor mentioned that the local council under
the leadership of vice mayor Danilo Menor has passed a total of 483 legislative
measures in CY 2013. Of this total, 407 are resolutions, eight are ordinances
constituting local laws, and 68 appropriations ordinances.
“The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) continues to
partner and complement our efforts for development especially in endorsing our
projects for local poverty reduction,” said Matugas.
At the onset of his term of office in July 2013,
the city called for the accreditation of non-government, civil society, and
people’s organizations (NGOs/CSOs/POs) in line with the mandate provided for
under the local government code.
A total of 41 organizations were accredited by
the SP, as of December 31, 2013.
Aside from these 41 accredited NGOs/CSOs/POs,
the city also extended the participatory planning and project identification
process to the non-accredited basic sectors in line with the conduct of the
Bottoms-Up Budgeting (BUB) for the local poverty reduction action plan (LPRAP).
In planning and project development services,
mayor Matugas said, “the entry of a new term for local officials made it prudent
for us to review and revisit the city’s development plans and priorities. We
formulated last year the short term or three-year strategic development
direction contained in the Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) for
2013-2016.”
Matugas added that in close coordination with
other agencies and LGU departments, the project proposals prepared by their
planning office, together with concerned departments, were favorably considered
for implementation by various national government agencies and overseas development
assistance, generating a total project amount of about P136 million.
Also, under the peace and development program of
Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) managed by the Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG), another P10 million was given to the earlier
granted P4.5 million for the improvement of farm-to-market road with a
livelihood support component.
“The various projects proposed for national
agency funding under the LPRAP-BUB process also totalled P40 million for 2014
excluding the LGU equity of about P8 million. Another project proposal was also
prepared to access the P3 million Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) of DILG in
relation to the city’s cash award incentive of the Seal of Good Housekeeping
for 2012,” disclosed Matugas.
Matugas cited as well the proposal on site
development and engineering design plans for the city’s new socialized housing
project in Brgy. Cagniog. The area of more or less seven hectares to be
developed was also approved for funding by the National Housing Authority in
the amount of P22 million.
In terms of fiscal administration, Matugas bared
that the city’s total income last year increased to more than P512 million.
“This is a modest increase of almost seven percent compared to that of the 2012
income of about P479 million. In the last five years, from 2009 to 2013, the
city’s income increased at a rate of about three percent per annum,” he said.
Matugas stated that among the major contributors
of the city’s locally-sourced revenues are:
business taxes 23 percent, income from economic enterprises 21 percent,
business and service income 16 percent, special education tax 12 percent and
regulatory fees 8 percent. The rest of local revenues come from other taxes
composed of community tax, franchise tax, occupation tax, professional tax,
property transfer tax, tax on delivery trucks/vans, sand and gravel tax,
socialized housing tax, and the interest income from time deposits.
“On the other hand, the total expenditures of
2013 amounting to P467 million constitute a per capita expenditure of P3,125
based on a projected 2013 population of 149,449. This increased by almost 5%
from that of the previous year,” said Matugas.
He revealed that the net income of local
economic enterprises in 2013 totaled P7.202 million. The profitability rate of
the city’s economic enterprises increased to 23 percent from last year’s 22
percent.
In addition, activities relating to human
resource recruitment, evaluation, promotion and grievance system were done in
accordance with the prescribed guidelines of the Civil Service Commission,
especially in view of maintaining the city’s Level II accreditation with the
commission.
“We have also gone through the workshops for the
implementation of the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS). Five
in-house seminars, training-workshops were conducted last year,” Matugas said.
Matugas further said that granting of employee’s
benefits was sustained. He expressed his gratitude to his constituents and
committed to place the greater interest of the city and the Surigaonons above
petty and other vested interest. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
LGU’s health, nutrition programs benefit
constituents in Surigao City
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – City Mayor Ernesto
Matugas reported several accomplishments on its health and nutrition programs
that benefitted its constituents, during his State of Local Governance
Performance Report (SLGPR), held Thursday at the city gymnasium here.
Matugas mentioned that the city’s Crude Birth
Rate (CBR) average is around 19.02 in the last five years while the Crude Death
Rate (CDR) has steadily increased since 2010, hence reflecting a decline in the
natural increase in population from 1.4 in 2009 to 1.1 in 2013.
“Lifestyle-related diseases, such as
Cardio-Vascular Disease, Multi-Organ Failure and Cancer as causes of deaths are
steadily increasing each year. Meanwhile, Septicemia, Pneumonia and
Tuberculosis remain among the top infectious diseases in the locality,” he
said.
Matugas, further bared that the Infant Mortality
Rate (IMR) was at its lowest level for this 5-year period, reflecting more
effective and improved service delivery in Infant Health Care and Nutrition in
the Barangay Health Centers. “Compared to other cities in the region, Surigao
City had a relatively high mortality rate for under five children at 20.36. The
most common causes of deaths were Septicemia, Pneumonia, and Acute
Gastroenteritis. Maternal Mortality Rate increased from 3.11 in 2012 to 5.62
(per 1000 live births) in 2013. However, 10 out of the reported 16 cases of
maternal deaths were non-residents of the city,” he clarified.
In line with the Maternal Child Health and
Nutrition strategy, the city government implemented various programs and
activities aimed at improving women’s health and ensuring safe motherhood, and
ultimately preventing maternal deaths. Seven birthing facilities operated 24/7
to provide quality and low-cost obstetric services to the pregnant women. A
total of 908 deliveries were served by these facilities during the year, with
San Juan District registering the highest number of births. In 2013, 88 percent
of deliveries were already facility-based.
“We also would like to thank the Department of
Health (DOH) for the completion of the Washington Health District Birthing
Facility,” expressed Matugas.
The School Based Adolescent Immunization Program
of the DOH and the Department of Education (DepEd) was implemented during the
year to prevent the rising number of adolescents who are vulnerable to vaccine
preventable diseases. Accordingly, 5,396 students in 22 public secondary
schools were immunized.
Matugas further revealed that in the area of
Nutrition, the prevalence rate of Underweight and Severely Underweight
Preschool children decreased from 12 percent in 2012 to 10 percent in 2013.
“Among schoolchildren, the division reported
that 0.60 percent were severely underweight in kindergarten, 0.72 percent in
the elementary level and 0.80 percent in the secondary level. A mix of
strategies and interventions were undertaken by the city government in
cooperation with other sectors, which among others include: supplemental
feeding, provision of Iron and Vitamin A supplements, and the Gulayan sa
Paaralan. We would like to thank our partners, the various groups and
organizations for their never-ending support in these endeavors, especially the
conduct of supplemental feeding activities,” highlighted Matugas.
Also, in line with the Community-Based
Rehabilitation program, the city government of Surigao in partnership with the
APO Southern Zamboanga Alumni Association, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, the
Loving Presence Foundation, Incorporated and the Caraga Regional Hospital,
successfully conducted the Project B.O.S.S. (Brotherhood Operation Sight and
Smile).
“A total of 64 patients composed of 34 cataract
cases, 16 pterygium cases, 12 cleft lip cases and two cleft palate cases
availed of the free medical and surgical services rendered by the team of
medical experts,” cited Matugas.
Meanwhile, as part of its “Dengue Free Surigao
Project,” Matugas disclosed that the Rotary International, a socio-civic
organization, donated some Temephos larvicide to four poblacion-barangays, and
in effect, the number of suspected cases was reduced by 24 percent in 213, with
a case fatality rate of 0.78 percent. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao City receives several recognitions in CY
2013
By Nora L. Molde
SURIGAO CITY, April 24 (PIA) – Mayor Ernesto
Matugas revealed the city’s several recognitions received during the year 2013
during his State of Local Performance Report (SLPR) on Thursday here.
During his SLPR, Matugas revealed that the city
during year 2013 has received several recognitions. “For third consecutive
year, we are an awardee by the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), silver category,” he said.
The Seal of Good Housekeeping, according to
Matugas is given to Local Government Units (LGU) as recognition for good
governance performance in internal housekeeping particularly on four areas,
namely 1) Good Planning; 2) Sound Fiscal Management; 3) Transparency and
Accountability; and 4) Valuing of Performance Monitoring.
Also, Matugas said that another recognition was
received by the city, being considered by National Competitiveness Council
(NCC), as the 13th most competitive city in the Philippines.
The NCC is a public and private sector taskforce
on Philippine competitiveness created by Presidential Executive Order No. 44 of
the present administration, chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry
with the private sector co-chair. “Being on the top 13 out of the 122 cities
surveyed and rated is already a significant achievement for a small city like
ours competing with highly urbanized cities and metropolitan cities all over
the country,” Matugas said.
"It should be pointed out that since my
incumbency beginning in 2010, we have been awarded with the Seal of Good
Housekeeping for three consecutive years, that is for 2010, 2011 and 2012 and
the Regional Winner of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi for another two consecutive
years in 2011 and 2012,” Matugas said. This is of course on top of all the
other accolades we have received through the years which include our retaining
the award as Child-Friendly City in 2012, Regional Winner as Best 4Ps Program
Implementer, and several others,” he added.
The SLPR of Mayor Matugas is held at the city’s
auditorium participated by local officials, office heads, and Surigaonons.
Surigao City is one of the six cities of Caraga
region with 54 barangays. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City hosts VMLP Regional Assembly in
Caraga
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, April 24 (PIA) – The three-day
regional assembly of the Vice-Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP)-Caraga
chapter has kicked off today at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in Tandag City, Surigao
del Sur.
With the theme, “The Vice-Mayors – Their Roles
to the Road of Development,” Tandag City Vice-Mayor Ruel Momo, VMLP-Caraga
OIC-President, is set to call the said assembly to order at the opening program
which starts at 5:00p.m.
Both Tandag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel and
Surigao del Sur Vice-Governor Manuel Alameda, Sr. have their respective parts
in the opening program—words of welcome for the former and message for the
latter. Afterwards, dinner and
fellowship will follow.
Based on the official program, the second day is
entirely allotted with series of lectures that will be provided by invited
national government agencies.
The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) is tasked to discuss “Legislative Measures for Developing
LGUs; the Department of Agriculture (DA) is assigned to expound on “Priority
Agricultural Program in Caraga;” the Commission on Audit (COA) has to give
“Updates on the COA’s Rules and Regulations;” while, the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) on “DPWH Programs and Projects in Caraga Region.”
Also, an open forum is set right after hearing all the lectures.
But on the eve of the final and third day, a
fellowship and camaraderie is going to be held.
City of Manila Vice-Mayor Francisco “Isko
Moreno” Domagoso, no less, is going to deliver the final message being the
guest speaker. Preceding Vice-Mayor Isko
Moreno will be Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel and Agusan del Norte
First District Congressman Lawrence Lemuel Fortun with their respective
messages, however, the latter is also tasked to introduce Moreno.
The event will be concluded by a “Trip to San
Agustin”—where the famous Britannia Islands can be found. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Population volunteers to link demand for FP to
service
By Angie B.
Antonio
BUTUAN CITY, April 24 (PIA) - More than 300
Barangay Population Volunteers (BPVs) are now mobilized to generate demands for
Family Planning and ensuring its
linkage to FP services, after a series of trainings were conducted in
all cities and provinces of Caraga Region on March – April, this year.
The training sponsored by the Commission on
Population was designed to equip the volunteer workers with the latest
information on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RP-FP) program
particularly the new implementing
guidelines and the required forms.
Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano of
POPCOM believed that the BPVs played an
important role in meeting the family planning needs of the couples.
The POPCOM Chief emphasized that priority to be
reached out by the volunteer workers are those Pantawid Pamilya
beneficiaries. The conduct of the RP-FP classes
in the Family Development Session shall
be linked to appropriate services.
Makinano cited that the region shall reach
50,000 4Ps couples of reproductive ages through RP-FP classes. Of these, 12,500 couples are expected to be
given appropriate FP services of their own choice.
Based on the new RP-FP Implementing Guidelines,
the BPVs will be provided with mobilization funds particularly in referring
couples to the nearest family planning health service facility as well as in
assisting the conduct of RP-FP in FDS. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur employees cautioned about 'loafing'
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, April 24 (PIA) – Capitol employees
of Surigao del Sur have been cautioned about “loafing” from duty during regular
office hours.
Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Florito Cuartero
said that wasting time while on the job like watching television, doing
something on Facebook, whiling away in the lobby or any sort of that nature
that may be construed as wasteful manner is loafing in the civil service
parlance.
It was learned that under the Revised Rules on
Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS) promulgated on November 18,
2011, loafing is classified as a grave offense which is punishable by
suspension of six months and one day to one year for the first offense and
dismissal from the service for the second offense.
The prosecutor noticed that almost every office
in the provincial government is provided with a television set.
On the other hand, Governor Johnny Pimentel
lauded Cuartero for bringing the matter out to the attention of the employees.
Pimentel said that having the prosecutor during
flag ceremony program—if possible on a weekly basis—may bring something new to
learn about.
Loafing, among others, was just one of the
important topics that Cuartero discussed on Monday’s flag ceremony program
which was also their office’s turn to host.
The regular Monday flag raising rites and
program at the Provincial Capitol in Surigao del Sur is a special occasion
allotted to any host office to give reports or information regarding their
official conduct of activities. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
