Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes last week rendered his report on his administration’s accomplishments for the first 100 days of his three-year term, highlighting initial successes in his 10-point Executive Agenda.
Before a crowd composed of the Sangguniang Bayan, municipal and barangay officials as well as representatives of government agencies, peoples’ organizations and non-government organizations at the Plaza Rizal covered court, the local chief executive reported on the LGU’s implementation of the agenda, particularly on the promotion of health services, enhancement of education services, agricultural productivity and development, accessibility and infrastructure development, preservation of urban ecosystem, housing program, tourism development, employment and livelihood development, maintenance of peace and order, revenue generation, and personnel efficiency and productivity.
In the promotion of health services, Mayor Laynes said that his administration has started the distribution of free maintenance medicines despite the fact the funds have yet to be allocated to the program, thanks to a donation from San Vicente barangay kagawad Francis Bajaro.
It has also actively implemented the COVID-19 and measles vaccination campaigns, information campaign on dengue prevention, and coordinated with the A Single Drop for Safe Water, Inc. on the provision of potable water in the barangays, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) on free X-ray caravan, and two UP alumni organizations on the conduct of medical missions.
In the Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, the Laynes administration has already released a total of P240,000 for burial assistance, P5,000 for hospital bills, P4,000 for subsistence, and P5,000 for transportation assistance.
Aside from support for Brigada Eskwela 2022 and the opening of classes, it provided free haircuts for elementary pupils in one school, began preparations for the return of Christmas Cheers and sports activities at the town plaza.
In support of the national food security program, the mayor ordered the intensification of the Gulayan sa Pamanayan and Gulayan sa Paaralan programs with the support of the TGP partylist and the Department of Agriculture.
Following the repair of the tractors, the Arado Mo Sagot ng Munisipyo is back on track, with farmers encouraged to coordinate with the LGU to avail of the program.
An Animal Shelter is now being established in San Isidro Village by the agriculture office with the help of the mayor’s spouse, Ma. Cleofe Laynes, and daughter Ruth, to resolve the issue of stray dogs and cats.
Among the facilities and infrastructures completed during the first 100 days of his term were the new Virac district jail for which the LGU donated the lot, a foot bridge in San Roque, street lights in key intersections, and clearing of access roads to isolated communities.
Mayor Laynes reported that in the wake of the failure of the previous administration to maintain the Go Shine Virac bus donated in 2016, he has secured another donation from the Bicol Isarog Transport System Inc., through his cousin, Operations Manager Bryan Cu.
By next year, the LGU will have two buses for use of its constituents, with the old one scheduled for repair, he added.
He said that the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan has been updated by the MDRRM, which has also prepared the Contingency Plan for 2023 to 2025 to make sure the LGU would be ready for any calamity.
In pursuit of transparent governance, the LGU has asked its constituents to regularly check the web page “virac-catanduanes.gov.ph” and Facebook page, “Go Shine Virac” for updates and information.
Among the other vital accomplishments in the other seven programs are: creation of the MENRO Quick Response Team; a P1.911-M grant from DOST for a Glass Pulverizing Machine, Styro Plastic Densifier and Brick/CHB Machine; protection of nesting sites of green sea turtles following the release of 1,500 hatchlings; protection of Danguindingan Cave; organization of the Virac Leisure Association to develop tourism; Skills Training for Gourmet Food Processing and Farmers Field School training for abaca farmers; continued improvement of the peace and order situation, with the Virac MPS named as 2nd best municipal police station and best in the region in police community relations; and free trainings in Canva and Excel.