Amas, Kidapawan City – Series of council meetings were conducted yesterday to review and discuss various development projects set to be implemented under the new provincial leadership.
Councils Chair Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco led the series of council meetings with members and partners from different line agencies of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), and Provincial Development Council (PDC) held Monday August 19, 2018 at the Capitol Rooftop here.
Determined to “translate our dreams and aspirations into concrete plans and programs”, the governor stressed that her administration’s development agenda relies on the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, as she spoke to a crowd of local chief executives and representatives from Local Government Units, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), policemen, and the military, and provincial department heads. Vice Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza, the Councils’ Vice Chair, and Board Member Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva, along with DILG Officer-in-Charge Ms. Inecita Kionisala, were also present.
Proposed peace and order programs include Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug and Rehabilitation Campaign, Livelihood Programs for conflict affected individuals/families and communities, Barangay Empowerment Program, Enhanced Justice on Wheels, Support to Whole of Nation Approach, Establishment and Upgrading of Existing Checkpoint Stations, and other support to security and peace efforts in the province, among others. The said programs are for indorsement to the PDC and for subsequent approval of the SangguniangPanlalawigan.
Meanwhile, presented and reviewed during the PDC meeting was the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the provincial government for 2020. This include proposed budget for all sectoral concerns, including general public services, budget for the provincial offices in the province, social services, economic services, other services amounting to P10.593 billion pesos which has been approved for adoption of the council.
Governor Catamco has requested that instead of the minimum 20% development fund, the provincial government will this time allocate 25% of the total provincial income “to be able to respond to the newest requests received particularly for farming communities”. She underscored that around 382.19M of the 560M total development fund or 68% has already been allocated for debt servicing for 2020. We only have 178.133M left for project implementation. Thus, this proposal hopes to alleviate the economic condition of our people,” Catamco said.
Another highlight was the proposed establishment of two “Balay Silangan”, or temporary shelter for drug offenders while undergoing a rehabilitation program with the government, for the 1st and 3rd districts of Cotabato in addition to the one “Balay Silangan” in the province which is located in Sitio New Corella, Brgy. Poblacion, Makilala (please read separate story for details).
In closing, the mother of the province expressed appreciation for the continued cooperation and strong support of the above-mentioned development partners towards the success of North Cotabato.//lqg//
