The administration of Pandan Mayor Honesto C. Tabligan II has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with a corporation owned by the the Cua family over the free use of the latter’s truck in the northern town’s Pasada Eskwela Program.
Mayor Tabligan signed the agreement with the representative of Manila Hemp Export Corp., represented by Mayor Peter Cua of San Andres who initiated the novel idea of providing free rides for students from faraway villages to their schools.
Under the deal, the company offered the services of an Isuzu Elf truck for the use of Pandan LGU in ferrying students from San Isidro, Porot, San Roque, Lourdes, Wagdas, Tokio, Baldoc and Marambong in going to the Leandro I. Verceles Sr. National High School at Panlilibon, barangay Tabugoc.
For its part, the LGU will shoulder the wages of the driver, the cost of fuel, maintenance and other operating expenses of the vehicle to make it road-worthy at all times.
Governor Joseph Cua decided to replicate the successful program in the other towns, with Pandan chosen as one of the recipients.
The Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Eric Rodriguez fully supported the program and passed a resolution authorizing the chief executive to enter into the agreement with Manila Hemp last Jan. 6, 2020.
This move is just one of the programs that Mayor Tabligan is implementing to improve the standard of living in his native town.
Describing health services in Pandan as “very poor,” he told the media that he has launched a monthly program dubbed as “KaagaPAY, KadumaMay” intended to provide health and wellness benefits for senior citizens, including the giving of birthday cake to those celebrating their natal day.
A vehicle has also been provided for the use of the elderly in going to and from the town center for their activities and during funerals. A free dental service program, including tooth extraction, is also being held monthly for the seniors, and the youth, who are given vitamins and rice packs.
The municipality is likewise addressing the issue of ambulance service in emergency cases, with an ambulance set to arrive courtesy of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) while a rescue van will be based 24/7 in Tabugoc for the use of residents in adjoining barangays far from the poblacion.
On the other hand, the 100 scholars of the LGU is in addition to the 150 more who receive P2,500 per semester from Tabligan’s personal foundation.
Meanwhile, the mayor is proposing that the LGU takeover financial management of the Pandan Water District so it would no longer resort to loans that result in higher water rates.
He said the LGU can provide financial and infrastructure assistance, with PAWAD to run the administrative side while the LGU can focus on collection.
He also unveiled the municipality’s plan to auction off real property whose taxes have not been paid by their owners, considering that overall a total of P3.4 million in real estate taxes has yet to be collected.
The municipality has fielded Kalikasan teams to monitor forests and the seas, as well as the peace and order situation in coordination with the police.
Barangay tanods have been provided insurance coverage and empowered to arrest those engaged in illegal activities as deputies of the police.
Like Pres. Duterte, Mayor Tabligan hates illegal drugs and would issue a shoot-to-kill order for drug suspects who fight back. The former seminarian says illegal drugs destroy the future of Pandananons and affects the community.
A high-tech CCTV system will be installed in strategic areas in the town, particularly entry and exit points, along with an emergency device system that would warn residents. A free web-based telephone system has also been installed at the LGU.
On the other hand, the LGU has restored the old market, relocating itinerant vendors in a bid to lower fish prices.
To boost commerce, Land Bank of the Philippines recently installed an ATM machine for cash deposits and withdrawals, making it safer for local businesses and visiting tourists.
Mayor Tabligan said he has requested the Development Bank of the Philippines to establish an off-site office to handle loians and other services
Expressing happiness that most of his campaign promises are being met, he said he sees Pandan in the next three years as a leading town of Catanduanes and the municipal government as ISO-compliant.