Acting Governor Shirley Araojo-Abundo last week called for the support of the heads of national agencies and provincial offices in realizing her administration’s plans and programs for 2020.
Addressing the chiefs of offices during the New Year’s Call and joint meeting of the Catanduanes Development Council (CDC) and the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at the Catanduanes Convention Center last Friday (Jan. 10, 2020), the acting chief executive said the programs to be implemented followed the same programs initiated by Governor Joseph C. Cua to ensure continuity.
Abundo remarked that this way, the same plans would be pursued when the governor comes back from his suspension.
Abundo remarked that this way, the same plans would be pursued when the governor comes back from his suspension.
She also underscored that the 2020 programs are aligned with that of the national agencies to avoid duplication and prevent wastage of precious resources.
Referring to the department heads at the capitol, Abundo expressed her desire to see the provincial chiefs and their subordinates to be more empowered and asked them to trust people under them.
“As long as we understand the rationale why we are in public service, we will be able to achieve our goal of serving and helping the people,” the acting governor stressed.
She also declared that the implementation of the Universal Health Care would be a big help for the province in providing free essential health services, particularly to indigents, adding that the operation of the Catanduanes’ seven public hospitals is a big drain on its limited resources.
Under the UHC, all Filipinos will be automatic members of PhilHealth and eligible to No Balance Billing once admitted to basic or ward accommodations in hospitals. The availability of basic accommodation in all facilities will be ensured through prescribed basic-private bed ratios—90:10 for public health facilities, 70:30 for public specialty health facilities, and a minimum of 10:90 for private health facilities.
The delivery of optimum and quality health services will also be achieved through capacity-building of human resources for health and improved access to medicines and commodities by way of transparent pricing.
In the same event, PNP provincial director Col. Paul F. Abay urged his colleagues in the public service to work together in facing the challenges of 2020.
“We must not lose sight of our priority, the people,” he said, encouraging everyone to work as one and as professionals for a safe, progressive and peaceful Catanduanes.
PD Abay led a long line of police officers as well as heads and key personnel of the Philippine Army, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other national agencies in saluting Acting Gov. Abundo and Acting Vice Gov. Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr.
Also present were Mayors Emeterio Tarin of Viga, Honesto Tabligan II of Pandan, Francisco Camano Jr. of San Miguel, Vicente Tayam Jr. of Gigmoto, and Glenda Aguilar of Caramoran. Virac Mayor Sinforoso Sarmiento was represented by Vice Mayor Arlynn Arcilla while Baras Mayor Jose Paolo Teves also sent a representative.
In a presentation by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Elsie Reyes, the 2020 priority sectoral goals of the provincial government are the following:
- Business-Friendly and Competitive LGU (Economic Sector): Enhanced productivity to attain food sufficiency and security thru agriculture; Strengthened infrastructure support, facilities and utilities; Improved institutional capability and capacity; and, Enhanced internal access to productive areas and external linkages to outside markets.
- Accountable, Transparent, Participative and Effective Local Governance (Transparency Sector): Support the various policy reform, system improvement through training and learning, communication and advocacy; and, Strive for full compliance to all mandated procedural and legal requirements to attain transparency in development and local governance.
- Socially Protective and Safe LGU (Social Sector): Increased income/livelihood opportunities; Improved sanitation and hygiene with strong community support and participation; Improved nutritional status of children, pregnant and lactating mothers and other age groups; Equitable access to health services, and, Affordable housing for most vulnerable of the homeless and marginalized households.
- Environment Protective, Climate: Change Adaptive And Disaster Resilient LGU (Environment Sector): Formulated, enacted and implemented enabling policies and ordinances; Increased livelihood opportunities; Regulated utilization of resources; Sustained ecosystems and green communities, and Institutionalized monitoring system
This will be realized through a 7-Point Development Agenda on Food Sufficiency and Security, Health Care Services, Inclusive Social Protection and Social Services Delivery, Organizational Integrity & Excellence in Local Governance, Environmental Protection and Conservation, Tourism Development and Promotion, and Support To Power Development Initiatives.