BONTOC, Mt. Province- - “More than just complying with the provision of the Local Government Code, I personally believe that this occasion is more importantly meant to fulfill one of the basic elements of good governance - that of transparency” Governor Leonard Mayaen declared as he delivered his annual address during the first session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan this year. 

Mayaen acclaimed the efforts of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who somehow surpassed its target passing on-time the legislative measures supporting the vision of the present administration. “Let it be noted that without the cooperation of the legislative body, efforts from the executive branch to introduce reforms and development will go to naught” he said. He also added that the members of the legislative body headed by Vice Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan have also passed landmark policy legislations.

Mayaen said that the previous calendar year allowed us to gain social landmarks with social services getting a big chunk of the annual budget.

For health alone, a 22% of last year’s budget was allotted to sustain and improve the operation of our hospitals. This is separate from the 5 million peso counterpart of the provincial government to the PHILHEALTH beneficiaries. Mayaen stressed that for this calendar year, the provincial government will solely sponsor families to PHILHEALTH as it will ease the burden of the beneficiaries in travelling to two or three offices just to enlist or renew their membership. 

The construction of the Bauko Rural Health Unit, rehabilitation of five barangay health stations and construction of two domestic water systems in Besao and Barlig were made possible from funding of the provincial government. Furthermore, the Provincial Engineering Office working on funds of the DOH implemented the construction of 13 Barangay health stations in the province, repaired various wards, doctor’s quarters and the construction of a one-storey building of the Paracelis District Hospital was completed.  In addition, a certain amount was also given to each of the ten RHU’s and to the three district hospitals to procure equipments.

In social welfare and development, programs were satisfactorily implemented by the Provincial Social welfare and Development Office in coordination with other national line agencies. At least 44 beneficiaries under the Emergency Assistance program benefited from a half-million peso amount released from the provincial government. The day care workers were also provided financial and technical assistance.

The Provincial Population Office remained steadfast in implementing population programs.  In coordination with the Regional Population Office and other agencies, it conducted a number of seminars and activities dealing with Population Program Management, Adolescent Health and Youth Development, and Advocacy on Millennium Development Goals. 

In education, the province’s goal to attain a 100% literacy rate got a big boost when an amount of more than five million peso budget was allocated for the Provincial School Board. Part of the amount was used to compensate Alternative Learning System (ALS) facilitators and others who were assigned to the different schools either as teachers, clerks, or watchmen. Also part of the budget was likewise used by the Mountain Province delegation to the 2011 CARAA where the province defended its third place overall standing.

Furthermore, the provincial educational assistance program of the provincial government helped more or less 600 deserving college students with their allowances of 3000.00 per semester, enough to pay in full school fees in any state college.

In Agriculture, the provincial government continued the production and distribution of fruit seedlings of various kinds and tilapia fingerlings to farmers.  In coordination with the regional office of the Department of Agriculture, vegetable seeds, rice seed, and mango seedlings were distributed as rehabilitation assistance to typhoon Juan victims. Bagsakan Centers were also established providing venues to market produce and allowed people to buy products at comparatively lower prices.

The Provincial Breeding Center under the office of the provincial veterinarian continues to offer its services such as artificial insemination, livestock and poultry dispersal and animal health programs.

In Environmental protection, at least 23 hectares were reforested since July last year when the National Greening program was launched in the province. This is separate from the 164 hectares which was reforested under the second CHARM project. Moreover, digging of sand and gravel along the Chico River and other quarry sites and the extraction of precious minerals by small scale miners in some part of the province had been regulated.

In Infrastructure, the Provincial Engineering Office administered the completion of many infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of the province. “Most of the implemented projects were the rehabilitation and improvement of the provincial and farm to market roads which I believe is an important prerequisite for more and faster economic intercourse” Mayaen said. We likewise constructed pathways, bridges and footbridges, flood control systems, waiting sheds drainage canals, irrigation systems, and educational facilities even as construction works are being done to finish the Banga-an Open Gym, Talubin Open Gym and Mt. Data Open Gym he added.

There was also a  90% increase in tourist arrivals from 5,801 in 2010 to 10,948 in 2011 which speaks well of the sound local tourist promotion efforts of the provincial government. This number is seen to further increase as more tourism come-ons such as the Mount Kalawitan trekking destination has been opened to business. Also we celebrated the 44^th anniversary of our beloved province through a program exclusive to a Foundation Day but without discarding our people’s cultural identity by holding a cultural presentation with a “Lang-ay” on the day earlier.

On good governance, the governor assured that the provision of employee benefits will always remain as one of his priority. This is evident in the implementation of the second tranche of salary increase for the provincial employees for 2011 and the release of 10,000 per employee productivity incentive even though it was not included in the General Appropriation for 2011. He also added that the third tranche is to be implemented this year.

Furthermore, Mayaen informed that Mountain Province takes pride in being the first LGU in the entire country to have Rebel Returnee and OFW programs. The Rebel Returnee program has under its roll 37 former NPA combatants given a financial aid 5,000 per month in exchange for community in their respective barangays. The OFW program assisted at least 30 individuals land to into overseas jobs. Latest reports have it that the beneficiaries of the program are religiously repaying their loans. Also the newly revived Livelihood Program just release funds to enterprising groups of individuals.

Aside from the special programs, the “Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office was organized on May 23, 2011. For it to function effectively various rescue equipment and gadgets were procured.

The Governor ask the full support of his constituents to remain committed to bring about positive change even though it entails going against public opinion. “We all agree that we push through with some unfinished concerns, sincerely observe our regular and routinary activities, and pursue doable programs all appearing in our Annual Investment Plans consolidated by the Provincial Planning and Development Office” he said.  (EB/Mt. Province PIO)