In his first public address since winning the gubernatorial elections, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza laid out what he plans to do in the next three years as chief executive of the provincial government.
Seeing the suffering of fellow islanders in isolated mountain villages and coastal areas, he said he wants to empower the people so they can pull themselves up and stand on their own, instead of waiting in line for “ayuda” and depending on their leaders.
On the proposed ecozone project that he initiated when he was still president of the Catanduanes State University, Azanza said it would be restarted once he assumes office as he had already received assurances from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
Investors, local as well as outside the island, will be invited to take advantage of the fair competition in the province’s economy.
Assuring that two fuel station distributors would reflect lower prices on their pumps and display boards by July 1, he called for a boycott of any gas station selling expensive fuel.
The money to be saved by the provincial government from cheaper fuel supply would be used for basic services and free medicines for indigents.
The governor-elect disclosed that he has already discussed with DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa the restoration of the tertiary classification of EBMC, with the hospital to be given a grace period within which to comply with regulations.
In his recent trip to Manila, Azanza visited the offices of 13 senators and nine cabinet members, all of whom promised to assist Catanduanes.
He also announced that 36 units of Starlink satellite internet devices would arrive, with each town to receive three units: one for the LGU to enable e-services and cashless transactions, one for a school and one for a tourist spot of the town.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel also promised 11 tractors for the Libreng Arado program as well as funding tor farm-to-market roads, he said.
On the other hand, PhilFIDA said it will take care of the proposed provincial buying station which will buy abaca fiber from local farmers and market the same to Manila traders and abroad.
With regards to the Friendship Bridge, Dr. Azanza revealed that as per NEDA assessment, the proposed span is not viable in terms of economic returns, so he has secured the agreement of the governors of the two Camarines provinces to help ensure its realization.
His UP Law classmate at PPA, Atty. Jay Santiago, would allocate P120 million for the construction of an additional port at Codon, in preparation for the Friendship Bridge.
To do away with “epal,” the governor-elect would send out health workers to the barangays to enrol residents in PhilHealth’s Konsulta Program so they when they go to a health facility, they need not present a certificate of indigency or secure a letter from a politician’s office.
Like Quezon City’s Yellow Card and Makati City’s Blue Card, the province will issue a Salud Card which will have details about the patients to speed up delivery of services and ensure a real No Balance Billing program.
“So many can be done if our focus is on progress of the island, especially if we have a roadmap of where we want to go,” Azanza stated as he sought the support of municipal mayors, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the province’s two congressmen.
In asking for unity, he called on everyone to set aside politics in the next three years so that the government can focus on a single idea: service to the people.
But he asked for the people’s patience: “We cannot do this overnight, I am not Superman. Kalma sana tabi. Give me time to do this.”
The public, most of whom expressed their desire for change, is certainly expecting good things to happen, especially in the first six months.
What they will also await is whether the SP and the mayors would enthusiastically join him in his crusade for good governance focused on transparency, accountability and integrity.