On his very first day in office, newly sworn Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza began fulfilling his vow of bringing government services closer to the people, designating every Tuesday as “People’s Day.”
The chief executive said the Capitol will be open to any constituent, with no need to pass through anyone, even his staff, to meet him.
“For the rest of the week, I will go around the LGU departments, barangays and municipalities. I will serve where the people are,” he emphasized.
Azanza also said that his campaign promise to clean up the Capitol is not a joke, as he warned those who are involved in any anomaly that it would be their choice if they want to cooperate
In an earlier social media post, he stressed that his administration will prosecute those involved and bring them to justice.
“And to those who have allowed themselves to be used in the past and took part in illegal activities, you will have to take responsibility for your actions. Either you turn state witnesses for us to catch the big fish, or you will be part of those who will be charged. We will not shield anyone who has contributed to the suffering of our people,” Azanza stated, adding that he wants to make sure that government funds, including the typhoon assistance amounting to P107 million, are properly audited and accounted for.
However, he assured civil servants in the provincial government of his high respect.
“Basta’t dae nin ginibong sala, basta’t nagtatrabaho sana, matataman ta dae iyan, irerespeto an saindong mga posisyon,” he said.
He likewise declared that the province is now open to fair business competition that would bring progress to the island, citing the presence of a representative of mainland mall operator LCC,
Basic services would be brought to the barangays and the municipalities, Azanza stated, so there would be no need for the people to go to the Capitol to beg for assistance,
Maintenance medicines will be made available to senior citizens and the sick in the villages while barangay health workers and rural health units will be empowered, he added.
“Let us make sure that EBMC is transformed so that health services are provided for free to indigents and to those who cannot afford it,” the neophyte governor said.
The No-Balance-Billing policy will be implemented in the province, even if it would require the realignment of funds for the procurement of free medicines.
He also called for a study on how the government would be able to provide free school bags and supplies for children, just like what the Padagos na Patanos movement did at the start of the school year when it distributed 2,000 school bags and supplies with chocolate drinks.
With fuel prices now at low levels, he bared that the government would study how to bring prices lower and make sure passengers enjoy the benefit through lower transport fares.
Here are the other plans and favorable developments mentioned by the governor in his acceptance message:
BUYING PRICE OF ABACA FIBER: The Department of of Agriculture and PhilFIDA have assured funding for the establishment of a provincial buying station that would help raise the buying price of abaca fiber.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: The provincial government will focus on infrastructure development, including efforts to convert Virac into a city.
CENTRAL TRANSPORT TERMINAL: An investor has expressed interest in operating the long-idled Provincial Integrated Terminal and Business Complex that was built for P280 million.
DIGITAL BAYANIHAN: The DICT has vowed to make Catanduanes a showcase of the program, trough the distribution of 36 Starlink satellite internet units at three units per town, to be increased later as digital support for the further progress of the island. Dennis Uy of Converge has expressed serious commitment not only to bring internet connectivity but also to use the interconnection cable to carry electricity.
HEALTH SERVICES: X-ray and other laboratory services will be brought to the barangay so that the sick and senior citizens would be provided preventive medicine. All 300,000 residents of Catanduanes will be enrolled in the PhilHealth KonSulTa so they could avail of free consultation, medicine and even hospital confinement. This will do away with almost dying patients still being asked if he or she is an indigent or not, as his or her status would be reflected in the hospital records.
“Sa paagi kaini tabi, kung an kalusugan, kabuhayan, kalikasan, asin an mga kababaihan asin kabataan matututukan ta, an pamilya tabi na Catandunganon, mas lalong mauswag,” Dr. Azanza declared.
He challenged Vice Gov. Robert Fernandez and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to join him and assist in the working out how the limited budget of the province would be utilized for the betterment of their constituents.