By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (05 July) – Communication team of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), formerly Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDCo) is set to discuss with the local tri-media of this city the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan on Thursday, July 8 in one of the local hotels here.
In a press statement, Janet Lopoz, MinDA Director for Operations stressed that the activity is in line with the formulation of the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020) by which MinDA is spearheading, in collaboration with the Regional Development Councils in Mindanao and key Mindanao-wide stakeholder groups.
“The draft Mindanao 2020 which is envisioned to be Mindanao’s development blue print for the next 20 years is now available for review and validation with the Mindanao’s stakeholders,” Lopoz said.
The draft document is borne out of a participatory process involving consultations, quick surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and workshops with stakeholders from all across Mindanao in the past several months.
The Mindanao Peace and Development Framework Plan, 2010-2030 (Min2020) is currently being formulated as the successor plan to Mindanao 2000, a 15-year plan prepared in the mid-1990s.
Min2020 seeks to establish the shared vision among Mindanawons and build a consensus on the long-term, holistic and strategic road map towards lasting peace and a progressive and prosperous future for Mindanao.
Its formulation is being facilitated by the Min2020 Team, which is spearheaded by MinDA with assistance from Brain Trust Inc. (BTI), a multidisciplinary think tank/consultancy firm.
The Min2020 Team has adopted a participatory process in the formulation of the Plan to gather as many views and ensure widest participation in the formulation process, so that Mindanawons can claim ownership of the Plan and be actively involved in its implementation.
This participatory approach is envisioned to be sustained throughout the planning, implementation and even monitoring and evaluation phase of Min2020. (PIA-Caraga)
DILG-Caraga to conduct region’s CDEx
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (05 July) – The Regional Office here of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will schedule a Capacity Development Exposition (CDEx) on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 10:00 in the morning in one of the local convention centers here, showcasing the department’s undertakings which enables the local government units to come up with their own capacity development agenda.
In a press statement sent to PIA, DILG-Caraga Regional Director, Atty. Rene K. Burdeos stressed that the activity also paves the way for other regional line agencies, local institutions and foreign donors to present their capacity interventions to complement the LGU’s CapDev Agenda.
It can be recalled that the Local Government Academy of the department held its National CDEx earlier in March this year at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pasig City.
The CDEx activity highlighted the capacity development agenda of the local government units as tools to address their performance and bridge competency gaps.
During the national activity, it was agreed that a regional CDEx will also be conducted after the May 2010 elections, thus the regional CDEx of Caraga was conceptualized and be implemented during that day.
After the activity in the morning, a press conference is set on the afternoon of that same day. (PIA-Caraga)
Economic growth in 2009, notably seen in Agusan del Norte
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (05 July) – A province’s economy is measured by the total goods and services it generates, “and last year was exceptional because despite difficulties, the sector still posted notable accomplishments,” thus said Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John Amante when he reported recently his 6th State of the Province Address (SOPA) before a crowd estimate of 2,500 held at the covered court of the Provincial Capitol here.
Last year, Gov. Amante said, the accomplishment of the sector was 54% over targets. Export sales reached $3.25 million during the year in review while domestic sale was Php 36.6 million. “Agusan del Norte was able to generate investments amounting to Php 622.4 million resulting to the creation of 6,491 jobs,” Amante said.
Also, Amante emphasized that income augmentation projects which the province has implemented included PCA’s Participatory Coconut Planting where farmers were encouraged to plant coconuts an in return, they were given incentives. “Out of the program, over 21,400 seedlings were planted and P322 thousand was paid to farmers,” he said.
To further spur productivity, the province was able to implement various projects under the Caraga Integrated Development Program. The program covered post harvest facilities like farm to market roads, machinery and equipment totaling P16.27 million.
Similarly, six projects costing Php 14.2 million were implemented under the Mindanao Rural Development Program. These economic pump priming programs were further enhanced by the construction of 82 accessibility and transport projects, categorized as Public Buildings, Roads and Bridges and environmental sustaining projects, which costs a total of Php 483 million. (PIA-Caraga)
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Maiden session of the 16th Sanggunian set on July 6; SPM Azarcon sets the ground legislation priorities
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Tandag, Surigao del Sur (July 5, 2010) – Members of the 16th Tanggapan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan (TSP) of Surigao del Sur are set to meet on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 for their maiden session at TSP legislative building session hall in Capitol Hills in the capital city of Tandag.
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Over the weekend, top-performing legislator of the 12th Sanggunian and lawyer by profession, Honorable SP Member Antonio C. Azarcon of the first district said he would already take the first step to promote his top priorities on legislations, such as: fight corruption; promote and practice transparency; protect the environment to mitigate climate change; promote tourism; creation and establishment of sustainable livelihoods; support agriculture and fishery; and protect/defend the territories of the province.
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Another top of the priorities of SPM Azarcon that needs to be addressed during the first meeting is to ensure that committees and its chairmanship are set-in-place following the high standards of the Sanggunian and not adhere to the previous wrong practices.
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“Our main objective is service to the people of Surigao del Sur. Because of this, our office will espouse legislations and ordinances for the common good of our constituents. Of course, following the rule of law and high standards of law-making,” SPM Azarcon stressed during a meeting with his staff.
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Prior to Tuesday’s maiden session, the members of the 16th Sanggunian are also set to meet on Monday at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon for their first committee meeting. During this first meeting, the SP members are expected to plan on how to help Governor Johnny T. Pimentel achieve his goals of a much progressive province of Surigao del Sur.
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It can be recalled that Governor Pimentel, in his inaugural speech last July 1, 2010 expected that the members of the 16th Sanggunian would act as think-tanks and help his administration through legislations and ordinances that are aimed at boosting the agriculture and tourism sectors of the province.
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“With us working together, I will become the best governor of province of Surigao del Sur and of the entire region… and become one of the bests in the entire Philippines as well,” Gov. Pimentel said.
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The Presiding Officer and Vice-Governor Manuel Alameda for his part in his inaugural speech, expressed his optimism that the members of the 16th Sanggunian would act together, being backbones of the present administration and offer to Surigaonons the best social services. (Michel D. Milo/PIA Surigao del Sur)
16 CAFGUs receive 32K separation gratuity
Tandag, Surigao del Sur (July 05) – 16 Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) members of Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGUs) each received check worth P32,850.00 as separation gratuity from the services they rendered as public servant in this province.
The check was awarded by Col. Augusto Tolentino, 401st Brigade Commander with the newly elected Governor of Surigao del Sur, Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel during flag ceremony today, July 05 at the ground floor of the Capitol Building.
Governor Pimentel in his message lauded the Philippine Army officials for joining the memorable event on his administration during the first Flag ceremony and for choosing the right venue for the awarding ceremony to 16 CAAs as public servants of this province.
The Governor also encouraged everyone to join the “Journey To Progress” (JTP) under his administration.
Meanwhile, Governor Pimentel also announced the newly appointed Provincial Administrator, former SP Member Efren Rivas, where the governor is set to sign his appointment.
It can be recalled that Governor Johhny Pimentel was the former Provincial Administrator of Surigao del Sur for 9 years during the administration of his older brother former Governor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. and was elected as Vice Governor during the time of Governor Murillo. (Nida Grace B. Tranquilan/PIA Surigao del Sur)
