Multi- awarded candidate
for Congressman of the lone district of Mountain Province Engr JUPITER ‘JUP’ COTO-ONG DOMINGUEZ,
54 holds a track record of a performing
executive of Sabangan municipality during his leadership as mayor of the town
from 2001-2007. JUP’s track record is
capped with an award as the Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines given by
the Philippine Senate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
University of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle in 2006.
Fondly called JUP by his
constituents from Sabangan and friends, former Mayor Jupiter Dominguez also
served as the president of the League of Municipalities of the
Philippines-Mountain Province Chapter from 2004 to 2007.
The two public positions
meant responsibility, commitment and reliability to a job and positions he held
which in parallel manner meant a responsive and reliable constituents of a
collective Sabangan which equally received awards for responsive and exemplary
performance.
Awards which talk of
exemplary performance that jumpstarts his legislative agenda as Congressman for
a Just and Upright Public Service (JUP) on education, health, livelihood,
cultural rights, economic livelihood, disaster risk reduction, infrastructure
and peace and order.
Jupiter Dominguez brought fame to his
hometown with awards from different
agencies and institutions in his six years as mayor of Sabangan. An effective administration
responsive to the needs of the e-Sabangan
earned Mayor Jupiter Dominguez a Hall of Fame Award from the
DILG-sponsored Awards for Partners in Development garnering the recognition in 2003, 2004, and
2005. This also catapulted him as the Most Outstanding Public Official of
Mountain Province (MP) for 2005, an award given during the Lang-ay Festival in
April 2006. Mayor Jupiter Dominguez was the Most Outstanding Public Official of
MP for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of
MP. Jup’s leadership from 2001 to 2007 garnered him other awards as one among
10 outstanding citizens of MP awarded by the Provincial Government of MP during
the 2007 Lang-ay Festival. The Technical Skills and Development Authority
(TESDA) gave him also the Kabalikat Awardee in 2007.
Not only is JUP
technically good as an administrator, he is also good in communicating with
people and institutions. The Baguio
Midland Courier cited him as the Most Friendly Mayor of the Cordilleras for
year 2004.
These awards talk of an
exemplary leader that comes with the full trust and confidence of his own
people and his co-workers at the executive and legislative offices of his
municipal jurisdiction. Former Mayor Jup Dominguez maintained an exemplary
working relationship with the
Sangguniang Bayan in a productive manner and integrity guided by his
guidelines on GODSPEED- Good governance, Office administration, Development
priorities, Social services, Peace and order, Environmental management and
economic Development- of an executive-legislative agenda.
His motto on GODSPEED
e-Sabangan executive-legislative agenda refers to a dynamic development roadmap
that focuses on strategic leadership, participatory governance and convergence.
A guideline which finds a strong and credible basis for his slogan JUP- Just
and Upright Public Service- slogan in his legislative agenda in his bid as
Congressman for Mountain Province.
Governance
Governance refers to an
executive and legislative agenda, local legislation, transparency, citizen
participation, financial accountability, equity, public-private sector and Non
Government Organization (NGO) partnership thus a local government-citizen
interaction. With good governance, a Code of General Ordinance was enacted and
included all existing and relevant administrative and non-revenue ordinances of
the municipality. A legislative tracking system was established that allows users to access
available information about the LGU’s legislative process. Along with relevant
legislation, an SB Member was recognized under the “Awards for Partners in
Development” of the DILG. Sangguniang Bayan member Juliet Palicos was an
awardee on Awards for Partners in Development by the DILG in 2006.
The LGU’s Performance
Billboard was also set up which provides information on the LGU’s plans,
projects, targets, and accomplishment and LGU activities. A public information
desk was in placed at the lobby properly identified and manned eight hours a
day to provide information on office operations. Full community participation
in local governance as evidenced by civil society representatives in the Local
Development Council and other special bodies.
Participatory and
consultative approach in formulation of policies and implementation of programs
was done where public and private sector are encouraged to work hand in hand
with the LGU toward local development. People are urged to be involved in
monitoring and evaluation of LGU programs manifested by an effective financial
management system transparent to the public including the Bids and Awards Committee. Besides, the LGU
utilizes the equity or counterparting scheme through networking to advance its
plans and programs.
With the efficient
administration of former Mayor Jup Dominguez, Sabangan was adjudged the Most
Outstanding Municipality of MP for Year 2004 and 2005 for excellence in local
governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP.
In 2005, Sabangan was
the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP based on the Gawad Pangulo sa
Kapaligiran Program of the national government. Sabangan bested other
municipalities on its environmental management program awarded by the
Provincial Government of MP in 2006.
Sabangan LGU bagged
Second Place for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2003 by
the Provincial Awards Committee, Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan LGU
also got Third Place, Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2001 by
the Provincial Awards Committee of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan
is an awardee of the Provincial Gawad Saka Awards in 2003 and Regional Gawad Saka Awards also in 2003. Sabangan got 2nd Place in the National Level for Gawad Saka in 2003. This
meant an exemplary accomplishment of the office of the municipal agriculturist
during his leadership as mayor of the town.
In DILG’s Awards for Partners in Development,
Sabangan Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board was awarded for an
active and functional board that effectively manages its ten year ecological
solid waste management plan in 2006.
Also, barangay Supang of
barangay Sabangan was the Most Outstanding Barangay of MP for excellence in
local governance in the barangay level given by the Provincial Government of MP
in 2006.
The Rural Improvement
Club of Maggon, Supang was awarded the
Most Outstanding NGO of MP in 2005 by the Provincial Government. And in the education sector, Namatec
Elementary School, Sabangan was adjudged the
Most Outstanding Elementary School of MP in 2005 awarded by the
Provincial Government.
Development Priorities
Developmental priorities
refer to planning, flagship programs and impact projects and infrastructure.
During his term, only Sabangan has an approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan
among the ten municipalities of Mountain Province. Responsive infrastructure
were built in support of environmental management, social development, and
economic development.
Social services on
health and nutrition, education, disaster preparedness, youth and sports
development, and civil registration was in place which equally saw concrete
services and results.
During his term, access
to safe water was 86% in 2001 for total number of households. It increased to
100% in 2005. Percentage of households
with sanitary toilets was 63% in 2001. It grew to 86% in 2005. In 2001, there
was one maternal death. In 2005, there was no maternal death. No epidemic or
outbreak of disease occurred from 2001 to 2005. The position of Municipal
Health Officer was filled up by the LGU in 2004. Total consultations had a
dramatic increase from 1,139 in 2001 to 5,795 in 2005.The number of PHIC
indigent enrollees being sponsored by the LGU increased from 263 in 2001 to 461
in 2005.
Keen attention to
education services was done with the construction and rehabilitation of
elementary and secondary school buildings and day care centers. A functional
municipal literacy coordinating council was formed. A Special Education Fund was utilized for
priority programs on student development. This to include networking with DepEd
on the Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP), School Improvement Innovation
Facility (SIIF)and Adopt a Child Program.
Education
As part of JUP’s legislative agenda, education comes as a
major legislative program for JUP. From the mind starts everything. For the
Mountain Province Polytechnique State College
(MPSPC) for one, expansion of college programs to include relevant courses
in order to improve access to
education without the need to leave
Mountain Province. For those who have to study outside of MPSPC to provide
scholarships with linkages for job opportunities. Helping students graduate is
not enough thus the need to make sure that appropriate jobs are also available
for them to make their time in college functional, useful and relevant.
With support to the
above, facilities including provision of computers, internet connectivity,
laboratory equipment should be upgraded
and provision of staff development in schools. Sponsorship of relevant trainings, educational and cultural
exchange and furthering the educational
and technical capacities of staff is equally a need and included in the
legislative agenda.
Health
Sustainable public
health programs on sanitation, nutrition and health risk management and functional well organized emergency
response system is important. Healthy people makes productive force in economic
development. Responsive and relevant bills shall be authored to make responsive
health services including the provision of equipment such as EEG equipment which is not even present at the
regional hospital of Luis Hora Regional Memorial hospital. What more to other
district and general hospitals of Paracelis, Bontoc and Besao where other
equipment such as EEG or CT Scan machine
is needed.
Sports
On youth and sports
development saw capability development,
an athletic Mayor’s Cup along with aid
to athletics, participation in the Palarong Panlalawigan, regional athletic
meet and Palarong Pambansa. Sheryl Baldo, Silver Medalist in the 2006 Palarong
Pambansa was a product of the LGU’s Program on Youth and Sports Excellence.
Sabangan LGU bagged Third Place in the Over all Province-Wide Ranking in the 2005
Provincial Meet, DepEd Mountain Province Division.
In Jup’s legislative
agenda, support to an enhanced and strengthened sports program is needed
to upgrade our standing in the regional athletic meet and
spur inclusion of our athletes in the Palarong Pambansa.
Environment, livelihood
and energy
Environmental
management was then a main program
of Mayor Jupiter Dominguez, an
environmentalist by heart and by deed. This covers natural resources
management, waste management and pollution control. Through his leadership, a functional
municipal ecological solid waste management board spearheaded the feat of
Sabangan as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for 2005. The Board
was also recognized under the “Awards for Partners in Development” for Year 2006.
With good
legislative-executive working relations, formulation of an ecological solid
waste management ten-year plan was done with a Solid Waste Management Ordinance
and the Municipal Environment Code enacted which set guidelines to follow. A monthly “operation
linis” was done which led to the Annual
Search for Cleanest and Greenest Barangays of Sabangan. An active participation in the “One Million
Trees” project of the Provincial government was
observed
A Materials Recovery
Facility (MRF) was established in 15 barangays of Sabangan with the allocation of a solid waste
management fund and an aggressive drive for the construction of sanitary toilet
in every household.
With a sound track
record, JUP in his legislative agenda
aims for location-specific laws on
cultural rights enacted and practice of sound and tested indigenous practices
based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) that supports indigenous
peoples rights including customs, beliefs and ways on land, livelihood, and
natural resources including property and family and community relations to
effect environmental integrity.
For one, the batangan
system sets cultural practises on protecting
forests in the Province such as
setting limits on how many trees shall be cut and setting rules on
protecting forests from fires.
PD 705 which prevents
the people of MP from accessing forest products, the very trees they have
planted and nurtured being located in what is classified as public land and
forest reserve needs to be amended to suit indigenous forest management
practices.
On culture and tradition
therefore, bills shall be authored and sponsored to retain and respect these. As noted, there is yet the need to
codify particular and location specific indigenous land and forest management
practices on ownership and management. This to include innovation of indigenous ways to promote cooperation and
peace relevant to the communities we are in.
Promotion on the
integration of culture and traditional craftsmanship in the current education
system to fuel local livelihood is a need. Identification of potentials and
opportunities in local materials and rich culture is a need. For one, pine
cones and other forest products profuse in the mountains which could be of use
for livelihood opportunities. But first and foremost the amendment of PD705
to enable people from
Mountain Province to practice their indigenous forest management practices
and freely access their very own forest
products.
Equally, the environment
is crucial to be promoted and safeguard
optimal but sustainable use of
natural resources to spur economic growth. For one, rivers pose potential
sources of energy for micro and mini
hydro sources to spur local industries such as
weaving where energy is needed to run sewing machines.
Natural resources
including falls, rice terraces, mountains pose rich potential for eco and adventure tourism
as source of livelihood. Yet at the same time tourism along the way should be mindful of the people’s culture,
that is to promote immersion and not just “come and go” tourism.
Bills worth authoring
and sponsoring are provision of
facilities such as rails to protect sites of cultural and environmental value
from the physical touch of humans. For example, the burial
caves of Sagada and Bauko and the many falls not to be swam in where such is
the case should be protected. Bills to author in the preservation of rice
terraces is a must where some rice
terraces are noted to be eroding. Funds
to be allocated is important so
that these natural sources shall not continually erode and the people denied of
their sources for livelihood. And more
facilities and trainings needing appropriation in the preservation of cultural and
environmental sites including the
preservation of artifacts.
With the
environment a vulnerable target for
destruction due to insensitive ways of man can result to environmental ruin.
While it is forwarded that indigenous ways and practices are promoted to be
retained including the need for trainings, education and advocacy, actual and
post disaster be addressed.
Disaster risk reduction
and mitigation comes in strengthening implementation of proper land use
utilization. Sponsorship of bills as part of the legislative agenda is then
forwarded on the provision of facilities, trainings, and comprehensive land use
with protection measures included such as the planting of anti-erosion plants,
tree planting and subsidies on soil fertility, strengthening implementation of
proper land use utilization for disaster risk reduction and mitigation.
Infrastructure equipment and trainings come in to support the agricultural sector.
Economic development refers to agriculture
and fisheries development, business and industrial promotion, increase in
annual income, one town one product program, livelihood programs and investment
incentives that need a legislative agenda to
address this crucial factor in community development.
The reintegration of
programs for migrant worker- returnees equally need attention. If possible, people from Mountain
Province shall not leave the Province to work in other countries where their
contribution to economic livelihood and their nearness to their families shall
be kept. Supporting livelihood opportunities is a crucial feature in
supporting kaka-ilyan avail of livelihood opportunities. Mountain
Province abounds with tourism potentials as source of livelihood. Trainings on
souvenir item making where local materials can be availed from, provision of
capital, equipment, trainings, marketing
opportunities and product development for local industries such as weaving, carpentry,
souvenir item making, dressmaking, tailoring, and customer relations in inns, homestays and restaurant
business.
Sectoral concerns too
are direly important on the inclusive management of programs. For one, strict
implementation of the Persons With
Disability (PWD) law and other existing
laws of marginalized sectors. The PWD
law if such shall be implemented needs support services such as the provision
of facilities as to separate quarters
and services including the provision of
personnel to take care of their needs to include physical structures,
medical staff, facilities and
medicine.
Peace and
order
Peace and order refers
to public safety and rule of law made manifest by the effective building safe
communities program, effective local peace and order council, functional public
safety plan, effective networking that resulted to the construction of a
municipal police station and the grant of police car, professionalization of
barangay tanods and professionalization of the members of the Lupong
Tagapamayama.
As part of JUP’s legislative agenda, the necessary
equipment shall form part of resolutions and bills to effect peace and order to include patrol
cars, and peace and order systems to be in place in the barangay, municipal and
provincial levels.
Office administration
refers to responsive administration, revenue generation, revenue allocation and
utilization, human resource management and development, customer service,
decentralized management and management innovations that equally reaped
awards for exemplary leadership.
During his leadership a
New Municipal Revenue Code was enacted that set an efficient system for real
tax assessment and collection as evidenced by the accomplishment of the LGU in
generating funds to support delivery of public services. A participatory and
responsive annual budget as evidenced by budget hearings and effective
allocation and utilization of LGU funds congruent with its programs.
Decentralized management
guided by the Code of Conduct for e-Sabangan officials and employees, a work
program, and performance evaluation and management innovations set Dominguez to
supervise his staff.
A supportive chief
executive meant competent and professional local government personnel evidenced
by the selection of one of its employee as the Most Outstanding Employee of MP,
Theodore Velasco for the Year 2005 awarded during the 2006 Lang-ay festival for
excellence in conceptualizing, launching, and managing flagship programs for
the municipality of Sabangan. Velasco is a recipient of the DILG-sponsored APD
for two consecutive years, 2005 and 2006.
Also, Camen L.
Lardizabal was adjudged the Most Outstanding Literacy Worker of the Philippines
by the National Literacy Coordinating Council on September 2005. Virginia G.
Mangay-at was awarded Most Outstanding Day Care Worker of MP in 2006 by the Provincial Government of MP.
MPDO Salvador O. Decoy
was also an awardee on Awards for Partners in Development awarded by the DILG
Provincial Office in May 2005. Too, Eveline L. Dalog was adjudged Most
Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker of MP in the Gawad Saka Awards in
2003.
Jup was born in Sabangan
from parents Celing Dominguez, former vice governor of Mountain Province and
mother Imelda Coto-ong from Taccong, Sagada. He is married to Janet Zarate of
Sabangan and they are blessed with six children-four daughters and two sons. He
finished Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at St Loius University in 1986.
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