Producing sustainable communities

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO 

By  March Fianza

            “Integrity, Commitment, Accountability, Responsiveness, Excellence” or I CARE. Benguet Governor Crescencio C. Pacalso had this to say to improve the quality of life for the province’s citizenry during the presentation of the SOPA or State of the Province Address.

            He said the province has to embark on a new vision which he coined in the acronym “I CARE”, in order to come up with sustainable communities. To be able to do this, the province has to alleviate the conditions of the farming sector by increasing productivity, in addition to promoting best agriculture practices and shifting to organic farming.

It was a one of a kind delivery of the SOPA. Instead of delivering a speech in front of an audience of government officials and private individuals, the innovation by Governor Pacalso brought together the provincial government’s department heads and provincial board members who faced the media in a “Kapihan” or press briefing hosted by Migz Velarde Jr. of SkyCable and Susan C. Aro of the Philippine Information Agency.

In doing so, the common way of reporting to the people by the chief executive alone which we were accustomed to, has just been simplified, made practical and economical.

The simplification, which to me has been done only in Benguet, saved precious office time, and got rid of the unnecessary expenses for preparations and food to be served to guests.

Following the governor’s opening statement, the first to address media representatives was the Benguet Provincial Police Director Lyndon Mencio. On peace and order, SSupt. Mencio said the first six months of 2018 saw a decrease in crime incidents as compared to the first six months of last year.

In line with President Duterte’s war on drugs, SSupt. Mencio who traces his roots to Atok, Benguet said the PPO is now engaged in patrolling twice a week cultivated marijuana gardens that were previously raided to avert any possible revival of the plantations as part of an intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

For her part, Benguet Schools Division Superintendent Carol Verano reported that some 25 out of 80 incomplete schools built additional classrooms or had their grounds widened, improved and fences repaired with the Special Education Fund (SEF), as she recognized the efforts of other stakeholders, admitting that “we cannot do it alone.”

On health services, Dr. Imelda Ulep of the Benguet General Hospital said the facility with its 100 – bed capacity had a 93.2 per cent occupancy, serving around 115,204 patients last year.

Even while it functioned as an enterprising hospital, it continuously receives certificates of recognition and appreciation from all quarters, proof that the hospital has been delivering health services at its best.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nora Ruiz who heads the Benguet Provincial Health Office said her department recently received the Purple Ribbon Award for successfully leading in the implementation of the country’s rural health programs (RPRH) regionwide.

Still up on their feet, members of the provincial board did not want to be silent on their seats and had reports to contribute to the simplified SOPA for Benguet. Obviously, the Sanggunian Panlalawigan is very cooperative with the executive department.

For his committee on agriculture, board member Robert Namoro said they have already passed the controversial quarantine ordinance that lays down the fees for transporting animals in and out of the province and its corresponding penalties for violations.

Board member Juan Nazarro Jr. reported that they recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the Study Now Pay Later scholarship program that has granted a study loan for at least 11 medical students from Benguet. Most of the municipalities endorsed student applicants to the SNPL education program except for Kibungan and Tublay.

Board member Nazarro who is “Coy” to friends said the SP is about to pass an ordinance for improving the collection of taxes. Relative to this, Gov. Pacalso said the law will only enhance tax collection, not to increase taxes.

Meanwhile, board member Robert Canuto took the opportunity to explain that the Benguet Electric Cooperative is now allowing the company to register with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) since it has already energized almost all sitios within its area of operation.

Understandably, Beneco has not registered with the CDA then because the government agency had no funds to support the electrification projects for sitios especially in Benguet.

Provincial Councilors League president and ex-officio SP member Nestor Fongwan Jr., said, they are embarking on a retraining program to enhance the legislative skills of legislators in the province. Also, groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of the building for the PCL and Liga ng mga Barangay was held last month.

Along the more than two and a half hours SOPA, the governor also took the occasion to congratulate the chosen Association of Barangay Councils in then 13 municipalities of Benguet, the 79 newly elected village heads and 61 reelected ones.

Prior to the question and answer portion which was another innovation in the delivery of the SOPA, Gov. Pacalso stressed that his administration will ensure good governance and transparency as he sought the support of everyone, other government agencies and national offices.

One move towards this end was the reactivation of the Provincial Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (PPMEC) that was organized under the Provincial Development Council (PDC).

To recall, the PPMEC was deactivated during the last administration for some reasons. But this has to be reorganized in order to check on the implementation of projects funded by the province, as well as monitor projects being constructed by other government agencies inside the province.