Congressional Platform as Representative of Mountain Province

EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENT

1. To modify the present “scholarship” program to include deserving, indigent, ambitious and persevering students take their dream courses NOT offered at the Mountain Province State Polytechnique College (MPSPC), to other schools.
2. To include funding of a Support System for the immediate employment of scholar-graduates.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION/EMPLOYMENT

1. To create a study group to prepare a Bill for Mountain Province to have percentage of share of all irrigation rentals collected by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) on all rice fields irrigated by the Chico River from tributaries originating from Mountain Province.
2. The collection shares shall be re-directed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Mountain Province to fund the reforestation of our forests (seedling propagation, planting, maintenance) creating lasting mass employment for thousands of our people.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

1. Proposed development projects by the Barangay Development Council endorsed by the Municipal Development Council must be given priority.
2. The Dantay-Sagada to Besao to Tadian Road section which has been under-prioritized by the Past and Present Administrations must be given priority. Sagada and Besao being a tourist destination and Besao-Tadian an agricultural area.
3. To connect all barangays through the construction of quality barangay roads and improvement of existing ones.
4. To have all non-electrified barangays see light at their homes.
5. To have more schools constructed in our barangays.

OTHERS

1. To allocate funding for the free hospitalization of indigent senior citizens in hospitals in Mountain Province.
2. To minimize corruption, to initiate the creation and funding of a Multi-Sectoral Technical Monitoring Team for government projects and supplies. Quality must be of utmost priority.
3. To create a continued (not only during election period) Support System for underprivileged workers including Daycare Center Teachers, Barangay Health Workers, and Barangay Tanods.
4. To be as transparent, approachable, dedicated public servant, and to lead by example.

Parables and paradox in devolution

THEY MAY not seem to have anything in common, but there is something that the first-class province of Negros Oriental, the second-class city of Surigao in Surigao del Norte, and the fifth-class municipality of Sabangan in Mt. Province share: all three are held up as exemplars of excellence in local governance, thanks to the stewardship of their respective local chief executives.

For 2006, the Local Government Leadership Awards (LGLA) has named George Arnaiz, three-term governor of Negros Oriental; Alfonso Casurra, two-term Surigao City mayor; and Jupiter Dominguez, two-term mayor of Sabangan as most outstanding governor, city mayor, and municipal mayor, respectively. The three lead 12 other governors, city and municipal mayors who have been cited for their achievements as local chief executives the past year.

Indeed, for all the bad news one hears most of the time about local politicos, Governor Arnaiz and Mayors Casurra and Dominguez are only recent additions to the growing number of local leaders bred in the decentralized era ushered by the enactment of the Local Government Code. Today no longer is excellent local leadership wanting in paragons, unlike in the past, when one was sure not to run out of fingers counting the likes of a Jesse Robredo, who transformed backward Naga City into one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the country today. Or a Bayani Fernando, whose strong, if not authoritarian, leadership style made Marikina a symbol of cutting-edge local governance and entrepreneurial dynamism.

Hence the LGLA, the brainchild of Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., principal author of the Local Government Code of 1991 and the acknowledged “Father of Philippine Local Autonomy.” The awards have been given since 2002 in recognition of the important role of local chief executives in accomplishing the goals of good local governance as put forth in the Code. In 2003, the LGLA became an official initiative of the Senate, with partners from academic institutions in the forefront of local governance — the University of the Philippines’s National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), La Salle Institute of Governance, Local Government Academy, and Development Academy of the Philippines — tapped to assist in the rigorous annual selection process.

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Awards and Recognition

For pro- active commitment in supporting the 11^th Regional Skills Competition geared on promoting a highly qualified and productive middle level manpower. From the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) -Cordillera Administrative Region with the Cordillera Skills Foundation Inc- CAR.


As Outstanding Public Official awarded by Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU) of Mountain Province, April 2006.

For full support to the DILG Mountain Province Team evidenced by exemplary leadership in compliance to DILG programs and policy issuances to sports development and environmental management. Awarded by the Dept of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Mountain Province, 2006.

As Most Outstanding Municipality of Mountain Province for 2004. Awarded by the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) , April 2004

For initiating the barangay clean and green program competition of Sabangan municipality, worthy of emulation by other offices and different communities. Issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), June 2006.

For having completed the Anti Graft and Corruption Prevention seminar. Issued by the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values(CRFV) and the Ombudsman-Corruption Prevention Unit, 2003.

To the municipality of Sabangan for its program entry on community development submitted to the Gawad Galing Pook 2002.

‘In recognition of unselfish contribution to the ideals of the Igorot. The awardee’s significant accomplishments are a source of pride and inspiration to the people of Mountain Province’. Awarded by the Provincial Government Unit of Mountain Province, April 2007.

For full support to DILG- MP Team in successfully promoting the Building Safe Communities Program, consistently holding of Barangay Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay under the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran ,regular conduct of various sports activities, advocating the Gender and Development Program. Awarded by the DILG-Cordillera Administrative Region, March 2004.

For strong partnership evidenced by exemplary partnership successfully completing DILG programs. Awarded by DILG Provincial Office, Bontoc , 2006

From the Office of Senator Aquilino Pimentel on behalf of the National Selection Committee for the Local Government Leadership Award, November 2006:

‘The National Selection Committee took note of your leadership and performance as manifested in your leadership that genuinely embodies transparency in public service; for exceptionally demonstrating that excellence can be achieved amidst scarcity and for being a vial investment in the preservation of the rich culture of the Applai and Kankaney indigenous people.

The enabling environment laid down by the 1991 Local Government Code looks at local government as innovators and responsible partners for envelopment. This raises the bar of expected performance among our local government executives who need to perform exceedingly well-efficiently, responsively and accountably. Your selection shows that there is no dearth of capable local leaders who will rise up to the opportunity and meet the challenges of decentralized governance.’