2007 STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
By: Hon. Rolando “Lando” Enriquez Yebes
Provincial Governor, Zamboanga del Norte

Thank you.

. Honorable Vice Governor and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, Atty. Francis “Bebie” Olvis
. Distinguished Members of the House of Representatives :
Hon. Celia G. Jalosjos Carreon of the 1st Congressional District;
Hon. Roseller L. Barinaga of the 2nd Congressional District; and
Hon. Cesar G. Jalosjos of the 3rd Congressional District;
. Equally Distinguished Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan;
Hon. Uldarico B. Mejorada, Majority Floor Leader
Hon. Joseph Brendo C. Ajero, Presiding Officer pro-Tempore
Hon. Edgar J. Baguio, Minority Floor Leader
Hon. Fernando Cabigon, Jr.
Hon. Florentino M. Dulang
Hon. Ediomar M. Zamoras
Hon. Cedric “Adre” L. Adriatico
Hon. Felixberto C. Bolando

Hon. Norbideiri B. Edding
Hon. Anecito S. Darunday
Hon. Arasam A. Ismael, President of the League of Barangays
Hon. Ferlormino S. Cabale, President of the League of Councilors
Hon. Jimmy Patrick Israel B. Chan, President of the SK Provincial
Federation
. Honorable Mayors headed by the Mayor of Salug and President of the
League of Municipal Mayors, Honorable Jesus N. Lim,;
. Vice-mayors, Councilors, and
Government Units of the Province
Barangay Officials of the Local
. Honorable Members of the Judiciary
. Honorable Prosecutors of the Department of Justice;
. Reverend Heads and Members of the religious sector;
. Officials and Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
. Officers and Members of the Philippine National PolicePhilippine Army
and the
. Partners of development representing the Private and Business Sectors
and Non-Government Organizations
 

Brother Subanens, Muslims / Kalibugans, and Christians
Heads of National and Provincial Offices
Friends from the media, medical, dental and optical associations
Members of my beloved family
Fellow workers in government
 

. Mga pinalangga kung katawhan sa ZaNorte
INTRODUCTION

. Mga pinangga kung katawhan sa ZaNorte, sa ikatulo nga higayon karong
adlawa, ako, uban sa akong kauban sa buhat nga naga-representa
kanato sa Kongreso, uban sa atong mga membro sa Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, mopadangat na usab sa usa ka report on the state of the
affairs of the province sa miaging tuig nga milabay kung diin ang
sumbanan sa atong pagdumala sa pang-gobyerno probinsyal, mao ang,
UNA SA TANAN, ANG KATAWHAN.
. Ako mapasalamaton ug dako, sa inyong pagduyog kanako sa
pagpahigayon sa mga programa, mga projekto ug serbisyo ngadto sa
kinabag-ang hut-ong sa atong katawhan.
. Sa atong tulo ka mga Kongresista, Congresswoman Cely Jalosjos
Carreon, Congressman Matoy Barinaga and Congressman Cesar
Jalosjos, nga miunong kanako sa pagbalik-balik ngadto sa Malacanang to
get full funding for major projects nga critical sa atong paglambo, whose
implementation has been stunted for years prior to this administration.
. Uban sa atong mga abtik nga Kongresista,, nakuha nato ang suporta sa
Presidente niining mga proyektoha, diin, uban sa mga dagkong proyekto
sa lain-laing probinsya, gibatbat kani niya sa iyang State of the Nation
Address niadtong miaging tuig.

. First time in the history of the province that the Province of ZaNorte, is
recognized and given special mention by the President in her State of the
Nation Address or SONA, no less.
. For the information of those who are not aware of this, allow me to
enumerate these funding support from and approved by no less than the
President, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo:
9 P 1.326 Billion para sa pagkomponi sa dalan gikan sa Sibuco
ngadto sa Sirawai-Baliguian hangtod sa Lungsod sa Gutalac

o ang gitawag nga Zamboanga West Coast Road, nga may kalayon nga 117.13 kilometers.
This is on its way to effective implementation starting this year. The
national government has jumpstarted it with a huge investment of P

221.0 Million this year, intended for civil works and detailed
engineering.
Reports from the MEDCO show that, civil works for the Sibuco-
Sirawai and Sirawai-Sibuco road sections, are scheduled for
bidding this month, while detailed engineering is on-going as I
speak, for the Siocon-Baliguian road section, and survey works for
the Baliguian-Gutalac road section.

This will be my legacy to the people of the Triple S-B, and Gutalac
municipalities, jointly with Congressman Cesar Jalosjos, and
Mayors Edding, Carino, Soriano, Esmali, and Candelaria.

Next , is the amount of P 731.0 Million for the improvement of
the Dipolog airport, nga sa sulod sa duha nga higayon, was


dropped from the list of priority projects for funding by the JICA
and Asian Development Bank or the ADB.

The improvement and upgrading of the Dipolog airport is very
important and strategic to our province.

It serves not only us ZaNorteans, but the people as well of the
Provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur and
Zamboanga Sibugay.

Implementation status to date, indicates an initial release of P

115.0 Million for the widening of the runway and asphalt overlay,
and shoreline protection.
9 Third, is the funds amounting to P 210.0 Million for the widening of
the 10.8-kilometer Dapitan City-Dakak Road; critical usab
kanato, because of the Dakak Park and Beach Resort nga mao ang
nagaunang attraction sa turismo, sa atong probinsya.

For this project, an initial funding of P 106.50 Million was released
for civil works, which will commence next month, and for detailed
engineering.

9 Ika-upat, mao ang paghatag ni Presidente ug P 15.0 Million for
the Sicayab-Bucana-Port of Pulauan Road, to open up an
alternate road going to the province’s major port, the Pulauan Port
in Dapitan City.

. Sa niining upat nga mga proyekto, the national government did not require
us to put up counterpart fund, sama sa ubang proyekto sa national
department.

. The President, in one of the Cabinet meetings I was invited to attend in
Malacanang, has committed to spare provinces in the list of the bottom ten
poorest provinces sa tuig 2003, akong usbon, sa TUIG 2003, from
providing counterpart funds to projects spearheaded by the national
government, sama sa nahiunang upat nga mga proyekto.
. Added to this remarkable financial blessings from the national
government, is another P 50.0 Million for the construction and/or
improvement of twelve farm-to-market roads nga anaa sa mga hilit nga
mga barangays sa atong mga kalungsuran.
. I am pleased to report, that, two weeks ago, the Office of the Provincial
Treasurer, already received the check for the initial release of P 14.250
Million from the Department of Budget and Management to start
mobilization works for these twelve Farm-to-Market Road projects in
the Municipalities of Katipunan, Roxas, Jose Dalman, Sindangan,
Siayan, Godod, Liloy. Sirawai and Sibuco.
. The inclusion of the Municipality of Roxas, nag-paila lamang mga wala
kita magatan-aw sa bolok sa politika sa atong pamunuan dinhi sa atong
probinsya.
. The important thing is, we are able to equitably extend assistance and
support to all the people of this province, regardless of economic standing
in the community and political affiliation, ubos sa atong prinsipyo sa panggobyerno, UNA SA TANAN, ANG KATAWHAN.
. Kani tipik lamang sa kinatibuk-ang P 1.032 Billion worth of farm-to-market
road projects nga akong gihangyo sa Presidente niadtong usa ka meeting
 

nga gipahigayon didto sa Presidential Management Staff Office sa
Malacanang compound.

. Uban sa atong mga technical people, I presented the barangay road
network connecting production areas and market centers in remote
barangays.
. Diha-diha, DA Undersecretary Paras, committed in principle to provide the
funds, and further gave the go signal for the initial release of P 50.0
Million.

. If we, at the provincial helm, have been delivering basic services and
projects to the people of our 2 cities, 25 municipalities and 691
barangays, amounting to millions of pesos, the national government, in
turn is responding this with billions of pesos in projects.
. Indeed, Zanorte is blessed, and this gives us more reason to double our
work and serve the people with compassion, justice and equity to
deserve these blessings.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN

. I am equally very grateful to the members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, allies or not, under the leadership of Honorable Vice-
Governor Bebie Olvis, for their unwavering cooperation and trust in my
leadership.
. Every piece of legislation that gives the Governor authority in providing
financial assistance to the Local Government Units, ranging from P 1.0
Million to P 5.0 Million for priority projects; in entering into agreement
with national departments, for the implementation of projects such as the

P 50.0 Million worth of farm-to-market roads earlier cited, is a
concrete and solid manifestation of a strengthened PARTNERSHIP
between the Executive and Legislative Branches of the provincial
government under the incumbent leadership.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE LGUS

. Under this atmosphere of fortified partnership, we are helping Mayors
Lim of Salug, Dalman of Jose Dalman, Caballero of Manukan, Macias
of Sindangan, Edding of Sibuco, and Feras of Pres. Roxas, realize
their dreams for a municipal gymnasium and/or cultural and sports
center, intended for community affairs;
. Mayors Sulit of La Libertad, and Magsalay of Sergio Osmena for the
implementation of projects that are supportive of agricultural and livestock
development, namely the production of high value crops, and the
development of an agro-economic center, respectively.
. Mayor Tenorio of Mutia for livelihood development and road opening;
. Mayor Olvis of Polanco for the construction of a 2-storey multi-purpose
building, implemented by phase, and a farmer’s training center;
. Mayors Soriano of Siocon and Uy of Dipolog City for tourism-related
initiatives, namely, the lighting system of the Siocon’s Municipal Plaza
rotunda and purchase of one unit of brand new Toyota Hi-Ace van for the
Dipolog City Tourism Office.
. Mayors Siasico of Siayan, Uy of Liloy, Carino of Sirawai, and Balais
of Labason for the improvement of their respective public markets; and

. Mayors Jalosjos of Dapitan City, Sabandal of Pinan, Manigsaka of
Rizal, Tablezo of Leon Postigo, and Te of Godod, for the improvement
of city/municipal and barangay roads to serve as catalysts in enhancing
access to agriculture sources and potential local tourist spots
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE BARANGAYS

. On the other hand, under our assistance to the barangays, dili lang kita
nakatabang kanila sa pagpahigayon ug mga inprastruktura sama sa
dalan, water supply, suga, sama sa atong gihimo sa pinakahilit nga
barangay, ang Barangay Panampalay, kung diin, karon dili lang duna na
sila’y dalan, duna pay sugang dagitabnon nga atong gihatag kanila.
. Nagatabang usab kita sa pag-acquire sa lunat nga maoy nahimutangan
sa ilang barangay school building, barangay hall, day care center, multipurpose hall, ug uban pa, sama sa atong gihimo para sa Barangay
Bambanan sa Pres. Roxas, Barangay Alvenda sa Mutia, ug Barangay
Goleo sa Sindangan.
. Ang pag-angkon sa barangay sa luna para sa ilang mga pang-gobyernong
edificio mahinungdanon, kay mao man kini and magsilbing barangay
center sa katawhan.
. Sama ra kini sa atong paglimpyo sa mga titulo sa mga yuta where
facilities of the provincial government, like the convention and exhibition
center where we are now, and the swimming pool, are situated, including
the oval at the national high school grounds.
. What we started to do, we completed, following legal procedures, and
government accounting and auditing rules and regulations; and every
centavo of the people’s taxes well accounted for.

. Other than our support for infrastructure projects, we have provided twenty
five municipalities and twenty barangays with salter weighing scales, an
important tool in the implementation of programs that address the concern
on malnutrition in their respective areas of reponsibility.
. To sum it all, this financial assistance to our LGUs and barangays, one of
the many firsts for Zamboanga del Norte, gives them a wider latitude of
liberty in the identification of priority projects that would concretize their
respective development plans and advocacies into specific actions for the
welfare of their constituencies.

. Such financial assistance, manifests, as well, the provincial leadership’s
confidence on the Local Chief Executives’ and barangay officials’
capability to implement projects.
. Indeed, they are our co-pilots at the sub-provincial level in charting the
development road map of the province.
STATE OF THE PROVINCE’S FINANCIAL CONDITION

. This brings me to the STATE OF THE PROVINCE’S FINANCIAL
CONDITION in the last two years and eight months of this Administration.
. There is no truth to the claim of our critics, that this Administration has
emptied the coffers of the province for non-essential activities and
services.
. Rather, records of our depository banks evidently show that we have
sustained the sound cash position of the provincial treasury.

. Undisputed is the fact that as of December 31, 2006, we have total of P
710.0 Million, as and by way of cash deposits in reputable banks.
. And based on the certificates issued by these banks, the province’s
financial condition HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE PINK OF HEALTH
under my watch.
. Consider : by the end of December 31, 2006, we have a total cash
deposit of P 450,339,291.09 with the Land Bank of the Philippines,
Dipolog City Branch;
9 P 76,133,712.18 with
Sindangan Branch;
the Land Bank of the Philippines
9 P 6,000,000.00 with the bank’s Zamboanga City Branch;
9 P109,734,458.57 with the Philippine National Bank; and
9 P 68,593,466.45 with the Development Bank of the Philippines;
9 Over, we have a TOTAL OF P 710,800,928.29 by the end of
December 31, 2006.
. Complementing the banks’ reports, is the Provincial Accountant’s
consolidated financial report for calendar years 2004, 2005 and 2006,
which clearly show the following factual truth :
Increasing level of total income :
2004 : P 706.8 Million
2005 : P 810.2 Million
2006 : P 934.0 Million


I would like to make special mention here, that, because of our
persistence in getting our rightful share of the national wealth, we
recorded an increase of 121.52 percent in the total amount we
received from the Department of Budget and Management last year
as compared to that in 2005.

9 Revenues from local sources are improving :

2004 : P 171.0 Million
2005 : P 232.2 Million
2006 : P 231.1 Million


May I report in particular that, the improvement in local revenue
generation is partly attributed to : 1) enhanced collection in the
real property tax, and the amnesty program that we adopted
in the second year of our term.

By the end of 2006, we recorded an increase of 31.57 percent in
real property tax collection as compared to last year’s collection.

I commend the Office of the Provincial Treasurer and the
Mayors for this encouraging development.

9 Continuously yielding income surplus at year’s end :
2004 : P 162.0 Million
2005 : P 168.0 Million
2006 : P 130.0 Million

. This, notwithstanding, the numerous projects, services and incentives we
have delivered and extended to the vast majority of the people, and to the
workers of the provincial government, as well.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

. For the record, for the period July 2004 - February 2007, we have
completed a total of 1,144 infrastructure projects, ranging from roads,
bridges, water supply, power, school buildings, day care centers, tribal
halls, multi-purpose buildings, and solar driers; including the purchase of
computer units, books, chairs and tables for schools and government
offices.
. This number does not include the more than 500 projects of the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan funded thru their Project Identification Fund,
. Total investment : A WHOOPING P 368.0 Million.
. On-going implementation, as we gather here this afternoon, are 386
projects, amounting to P 507.6 Million, and another 663 projects on
the pipe-line with firmed funding commitment, in the tune of P 283.4
Million.
BENEFITS TO GOVERNMENT WORKERS

. Provided the benefits our hospital personnel are entitled to under the
Magna Carta for health workers, including 75.0 percent of the very elusive
hazard pay;
. We initiated the upgrading of the entrant position for medical doctors
in our hospitals, from salary grade 18 to salary grade 20, as a way of
motivating our doctors, whose numbers in the past six years are fast
dwindling, to stay and help us serve our people.

. Just early this month, we have received sufficient number of application
from doctor applicants for our new provincial hospital.
. We granted all our officials and personnel productivity pay, and
additional year-end benefits; incentives which they dearly deserve, for
what can we, leaders of the province, do without the contribution of each
employee working by our side.
. We likewise increased monetary incentives to our partners in the
implementation of our nutrition and social welfare development programs
at the Local Government Units and barangays, namely, the Municipal
Nutrition Action Officers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and Barangay Day
Care Workers.
.. From P 150.00 / month in year 2004 to P 500.00 this year for the
Municipal Nutrition Action Officers;

.. From P 80.00 / month in year 2004 to P 300.00 this year for the
Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

. And as support to the Department of Education, we increased the
number of secondary school teachers whom we hired and funded thru
local funds, from 185 in school year 2005-2006, to 195 current school
year 2006-2007.

THE HUDYAKA FESTIVAL : VEHICLE FOR TOURISM PROMOTION AND
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

. We introduced the holding of the Hudyaka Festival, the first ever festival
for Zamboanga del Norte, and provided it full funding support, to fire up
the dying tourism industry in the province.
. It’s one festival that showcases the sights, sounds, products and distinct
cultures of peoples that live in almost perfect harmony in the province’s
twenty-seven Local Government Units.
. In the last two years, the festival’s tangible imprints may be quantified by
the operation of the Cebu Pacific Airline direct flights between Manila and
Dipolog, and vice-versa, three times a week ; the entry of Negros
Navigation plying the Dapitan-Manila sea lanes via the Port of Iloilo, every
Tuesday.; and the arrival of the dedicated Dumaguete – Dipolog roll-onroll-off service of the Montenegro shipping lines, opening better access to
markets in the Visayas for our agricultural products.
. The entry of Cebu Pacific has undoubtedly presented a healthy
competition with Philippine Airlines that led to the adoption of promotional
air fare programs beneficial to travellers.
. The operation of Negros Navigation, on the hand, presented alternative
routes to potential markets outside the province for our products, like Iloilo.
. In foreign shores, particularly in the United States of America, the
Hudyaka Festival has caught the attention of ZaNortean-migrants.


. In last year’s celebration, we were pleasantly surprise with the
homecoming of a group of balikbayans purposely to grace and join us,
and witness for themselves this talked-about Hudyaka celebration.
. With their support, we are pretty certain, that in the next three years, the
province will finally find a secured niche in the tourism map of the country
and of the world.
THE POVERTY MAPPING PROGRAM : VEHICLE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE
DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES TO THE POOREST AMONG
THE POOR

. On top of all these initiatives, is the heart, the centrepiece program of
this administration, the POVERTY MAPPING PROGRAM, which gave
birth to a legitimate comprehensive assistance program known as the
Barangay Indigent Beneficiaries Organization or BIBO Program.
. Allow me to backtrack a little.
On the day I took my oath of office, I committed to address the growing
poverty among our people.

I say growing, because the outcome of the Family Income and
Expenditures Surveys conducted in 1997, 2000 and 2003 by the
National Statistics Office said so; because, the data and figures
incorporated in the report of the National Statistical Coordinating
Board, collated from the surveys conducted, vividly showed the telling
signs of an increasing poverty incidence in the province.


In 1997, our poverty incidence was reported at 42.4 percent;

In 2000, at 47.0 percent, ug sa tuig 2003, misaka kini sa 64.6 percent,
posting an increase of 17.5 percent, the largest increase in poverty
incidence among the country’s 77 province; thereby making us the
poorest among the poor provinces in the country in 2003.

This was very lamentable in the light of the COA report on the total cash in
bank of provinces, that showed Zamboanga del Norte with the second
highest balance of cash in bank in the amount of P 785.3 Million. The
Province of Cebu, was first, with a total cash in bank of P 899.0 Million.

That could have translated into numerous programs and projects para sa
katawhan; more school buildings, roads, livelihood projects, power and
water supply, agricultural support to farmers and fishermen, scholarship
programs to deserving students, among other interventions; that could
have made a meaningful change in the plight of the less privileged among
our people

. Losing no time, we immediately launched the Poverty Mapping Program,
inubanan sa paghimugso sa Barangay Indigent Beneficiaries
Organization or BIBO and Provincial Health Care Assistance
Program, the first ever that is initiated in the province, with no subsidy nor
funding support from any of the national government agencies.
Why poverty mapping? For one reason:

The province, just like the rest of the Local Government Units, has many
wants to accomplish for the people, but with little funds at our disposal,
we can only do so little . Mao nga gisunod nato ang giingon nga
 

CAREFUL PRIORITIZATION IN FUNDS ALLOCATION;


We have to know, kinsa man kining anaa sa kalisod; ngano sila
naglisod; asa sila, ug unsa man ang ilang gikinahanglan.

Through this process, we put faces on the real beneficiaries sa atong
mga serbisyo ug programa.

This way, we allocate our money where it is most needed, and second,
and this is very important, we spare the beneficiaries from the
traditional bureaucratic hassles in accessing government services.

To date, I am pleased to report, nga aduna na kitay 287 LANDO-BIBO
chapters comprising of a total of 103,607 household members who
have already enjoyed the benefits and services under the program.

Kani nagalangkob sa libreng pagpatambal sa atong mga hospitals
hangtod nga sila mahibalok sa maayong panglawas.

This program is very fortunate, because prior to its official launching, if
you recall, Honorable Board Member Uldarico Mejorada authored
Provincial Ordinance No. 04-67, known as : FREE MEDICINES FOR
THE POOR ORDINANCE.

The said ordinance carried with it the stamp of approval and support of
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to this program.

To give more meaning to the said ordinance, BIBO members are issued
cards under the Provincial Health Care Assistance Program that give
them easy access to free hospitalization and medicines in all provincial
government hospitals.


Our records show, that by the end of 2006, we have provided free
hospital services to 12,088 BIBO beneficiaries; and free medicines to
10,072 beneficiaries.

BOTIKA SA KATAWHAN SA ZANORTE

. Complementing this initiative is the President’s program on the Botika ng
Bayan, which is aimed at making accessible, available and affordable to
the vast majority of our people quality medicines and drugs at lower cost.
. And so, in partnership with the Philippine International Trading
Corporation, we established our own Botika sa Katawhan sa ZaNorte,
which started to open to the public early this year.
TULONG NI LANDO SA COMUNIDAD (TLC) PROGRAM

. Today, the delivery of government services that are mandated under
Section 17 of the 1991 Local Government Code, is in full swing under the
Tulong ni Lando sa Communidad or TLC outreach missions, through
the composite teams of the :
1) Provincial Health Office, headed by our Doctor-Lawyer,
Carmencita P. Icao;

2) Community Development Assistance Unit or CDAU headed by
Mr. Ronilo Pacilan;

3) Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Mrs.
Grace Marylen Sabal;


4) Pro-Vet under Mr. Vicente Sanches, Jr.;
5) Office of the Provincial Agriculturist under the combined
leadership of Atty. Bernardo Concha, Mr. Noli Bengua and Ms.
Maybel Bustalino;
6) Provincial Nutrition Unit of Ms. Maria Leila Realiza;
7) Provincial Engineering of Engr. Ramon Ochotorena;
8) Provincial Environment and Development Office headed by
Atty. Jes Gal Sarmiento, Jr., with Mr. Dodong Damuag as the
Action Officer; and the

9) Technology and Livelihood Center and Coopertaive
Development Office headed by Mr. James Montejar and Mr
Climaco Villanueva, respectively.

Equal recognition is also in order for the Chiefs / Officer-In-Charge of
our government hospitals, from Sibutad to Sibuco, who gave their
full support to the implementation of LANDO-BIBO Program

May I request these officials and their respective personnel, to kindly
stand. Please stand.

You know, Ladies and Gentlemen, our implementers are constantly
leaving the comforts of their air conditioned offices to reach, serve and
lead the delivery of services to the less fortunate communities in our
barangays, including remote barangays, some of which can be only be
reached by foot on onset of rain, as exemplified by Barangay Titik in


Sindangan and Leon Postigo; Barangay Femagas in Katipunan, and
Barangay Pamanpalay in Pres. Roxas.

Within the period July 2004-December 2006, the TLC Program has served
the communities in 529 barangays in 25 municipalities. Last year alone,
the program covered 190 barangays, inclusive of 33 clustered
barangays.

Their dedication to this cause is commendable. A rousing applause
please for our co-workers.

SERVICES DELIVERED

. Services delivered right at the doorstep of the barangay communities,
include, among others:
1) Medical consultation / check-up, which benefited 33,370 clients in

2006 alone;
2) Circumcision, benefited 2,260 young boys;
3) Dental services, benefited 5,410 clients;
4) Provision of free medicines and drugs to 10,072 clients;
5) Provision of ambulatory and other assistive devices, such as wheel

chairs, crutches, walkers and canes
6) Milk feeding to pre-school and school age children
7) Supplemental feeding
8) Distribution of seedlings and fingerlings to farmers;
9) Veterinary services like immunization, artificial insemination, and

deworming of swine and livestock
10) Dispersal of livestock and ruminants
11) Livelihood assistance



12) Dissemination on livelihood technologies applicable to the area
visited

LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE

. On livelihood assistance, we are currently assisting barangay level
livelihood activities enhance the quality and marketability of their products,
among which are the following:
1) Production of Pinakurat vinegar, kinilaw sauce and bahalina coco
wine of the LANDO-BIBO Owaon Chapter;
2) Production of Nito glass tray basket of the SAWDARA Highlander
Multi-Purpose Cooperative;
3) Production of Pangase native wine of the LANDO-BIBO Siayan
Pangase Processors Association;
4) Production of candle holder wood craft of the Galukso Wood Craft,
Inc.
5) Production of charcoal briquette of the LANDO-BIBO Salisig
Chapter

THE NEW PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL

. On a higher plane of hospital services, we embarked on the construction
of a new 200-bed tertiary level provincial hospital.
. These days, the people demand of their public servants the ability to show
that they can use political power to deliver unconventional results.
Public servants must walk an extra mile. In government, that translates
into the delivery of public services with effective, economical and

23
innovative manner. Our new
service.
Provincial Hospital illustrates such
. Criticized by a few as a grandeur undertaking, which they predicted
never to see the light of its fruition, the progress of the construction works
as flashed on the screen in front of you, speaks otherwise.
. The pictures flashed before you paints to all of us a thousand words that
prove them all wrong.
. This soon to be completed edifice will serve ZaNorteans with more
improved and quality hospital services in four major services, namely,
medical. Surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics-gynecology, right here at
home.
. The accessibility of upgraded facilities that will answer to more
specialized health care needs, will bring the cost of hospitalization down,
because we will be spared from incurring additional costs for travel and
accommodation when seeking medical attention in tertiary hospitals
outside the province.
. I am getting ready for the soft opening of the hospital comes May this
year. Contrary to allegations of our critics, there are sufficient equipment
and facilities, and manpower for the operation of the new hospital.
. I am very pleased to report that we have encouraged the spirit of
volunteerism in our midst. Our people are generous of their time,
resources.
. Thus, we are receiving support from our provincemates residing and/or
working in the United States of America in equipping the new hospital.


Since last year, donations for equipment are pouring in initiated thru the
efforts of the Zamboanga del Norte Associations in California and
Illinois, and the Renewed Life in Jesus Christ based in Vermont,
USA.

. For the record, the Renewed Life in Jesus Christ has given us about P
5.0 Million worth of both brand new and slightly used hospital equipment,
like incubators, and supplies, good enough to sustain a one year
operation.
. Seventy electronic hospital beds are about to shipped to us, in addition
to the thirty plus beds we already received.
.. The Zamboanga del Norte Associations of California and Illinois, on
their part, have given us seven units of dialysis machine; and recently,
twenty-one boxes of books and medical supplies from the
Zamboanga del Norte Association of Illinois.
. On the home front, businessmen, professionals, and other sectors of our
community are coming together to help improve the living condition of our
province.

ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION

. Time and again, I say, that our Administration, STRONGLY ADVOCATES
FOR RESPONSIBLE MINING, with special bias towards SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILTY to affected communities.

. Much as we, Local Government Units, would want to have a hand in the
issuance of permits to large scale mining operations, this responsibility is
entirely with the national government.
. We are advocating for our direct equitable share in the proceeds,
derived from the utilization and development of the natural wealth within
our territorial area, including, sharing the same with the inhabitants by way
of direct benefits.
. As the steward of the bounties of nature, we have committed ourselves
to preserve the remaining 34,000 hectares forest cover in the
Zamboanga Peninsula Region, found only in our province, specifically in
the Triple S-B municipalities.
. In consonance to this commitment, we created, in the early part of our
Administration, Task Force Kalasangan, in partnership with the private
sector, non-government organizations, religious leaders, local government
units, and the representatives of the three congressional districts of the
province.
. The one significant accomplishment of the Task Force, is the continued
imposition of the total log ban in the province, even after the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources, lifted the ban in other parts of the
country.
THE HI-GREEN PROGRAM

. In our efforts to rehabilitate the environment, we adopted, as our banner
program in agriculture, the INTEGRATED HILLYLANDS GREEN
REHABILITATION AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM or the HI-GREEN

Program, purposely to rehabilitate degraded hilly lands with potentials for
crop production, with the underlying objectives to introduce beneficiaries
of the program, to alternative livelihood activities, at the same time, ensure
food security at the barangay level.

. The latter objective is achieved thru the establishment of integrated
communal farming that includes nursery development, livestock and
poultry development and inland fish farm development.
. At the onset of the program, 192 barangays in 18 municipalities,
involving a total of 6,967 farmer-cooperators, expressed interest to
participate in the program.
. And by the end of December 2006, nine of the participating barangays
have fully established their community initiative integrated farm
facility, and forty-eight barangays have established nurseries with a
total of 404,425 assorted planting materials produced.
. Five communal farms are now established in Bgry. Canibongan, Roxas;
Brgy. Polandoc, Leon Postigo; Bgrys. Poblacion and Diongan, Siayan;
and Brgy. Malila in Liloy. Each communal farms was provided with 45
upgraded poultry breeders, one (1) buck and two (2) sheep breeders, and
inland fish farms with a total of 18,000 fingerlings.

FISHERY DEVELOPMENT

. In support to inland fish farm development, the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources, mipadangat kanato ug tabang financial in the
amount of P 2.8 Million for the establishment of the BFAR-ZaNorte Multi-
species Fresh Water Fish Hatchery.

. The project is aimed at intensifying the production of hito, tilapia and fresh
water giant shrimps or ulang fry.
ON PEACE AND ORDER, AND SECURITY

. I believe that development and security are intimately intertwined with
each other. The absence of one, makes the attainment of the other
difficult. Mag-unsa man ang kalambuan kung wala’y kalinaw sa palibot.
. As one of the means toward this end, we have been providing financial
assistance to the PNP Provincial Command to help in the fight of
criminality and lawlessness in the entire province, and strengthen their
intelligence works.
. The Peace and Order Council is being strengthened, as well, as an
avenue in addressing the security problems throughout the province.
. In the same vein, support is likewise extended to the on-going peace
process between the government and the NPA and rebel groups initiated
by the national government.
. But the ultimate initiative undertaken by this Administration to achieve
genuine peace and order, is the implementation of development programs
and projects under the principles of equity and fairness.

PLANS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND ONWARDS


.. My 8-Point Development Agenda will continue to serve as guide post in
pursuing more development for the people.
. Social and health care services will still lead the way in the delivery of
services;

. We will work for the institutionalization of the LANDO-BIBO Program,
to ensure its continuity even after the term of this Administration shall have
ended.
. The 386 on-going projects and those 663 projects on the pipe line will
be completed and implemented, respectively;
. School-less, powerless and waterless barangays will have their fair share
of these facilities and utilities;
. The construction of a 10,000-seating capacity multi-purpose cultural
and sports center at the same site where the old one once stood, is on
the drawing board;
. Financial assistance to the barangays will now shift to the provision of
livelihood development assistance in the tune of P 150,000.00 per
barangay.
. Our pre-harvest support will continue with the acquisition of additional
farm tractors to be made readily available to our marginalized farmers
under the Plow-Now-Pay-Later Scheme.

Akong paningkamutan nga motaas ang kita sa atong mga mang-uuma pra
makab-ot nila ang nangunang panginahanglan sa pamilya, sama sa
pagkaon, sapot, edukasyon ug uban pa.

. Marketing of our agricultural products will be given special attention with a
scheme that calls for the assignment of our people in big market
centers to continuously monitor the prices in the markets and
immediate feedbacking to the farmers and producers. This scheme is
being fine tuned with the provincial offices concerned.
. For investment in business, agriculture and tourism to flourish, the
provincial government, together with Mayor Jun Jalosjos of Dapitan City
and Congresswoman Cely Jalosjos Carreon, will doubly work for the
improvement of our roll-on-roll-off facilities at the Pulauan Port to
accommodate and cater to more and bigger passenger and commercial
boats.
. Along this line, we will continue to lobby with the President for the
conversion of Pulauan Port Terminal into a Port Management Office,
so that, it shall have more funding and more leeway to chart the course of
its development and improvement of facilities to entice the operation of
more shipping companies, and for comfort and convenience of the
commuting public.
. Satellite ports will be attended to equally spread the development,
brought about by increased sea traffic, like the port in the municipality of
Mayor Eguia in anticipation of the opening of the Katipunan - Siaton, in
Negros Oriental sea route, and vice-versa.
. In the same manner, we will encourage the building up of
telecommunications infrastructures in the province and open opportunities

30
for internet phone calls. This is very important if we want to facilitate our
participation in the global economy, specially in the areas of agriculture
and tourism where our strength principally lies.
.. The new Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Hospital operating as
expected, and extending the hospital care services, it is envisioned to
provide.
. Development of our cultural heritage will be given equal impetus to
preserve our identity as a people, with a colourful heritage, distinct
customs, traditions, practices, beliefs, dances and songs. We should
never allow losing our identity nor be ashamed of our roots. Rather, we
should protect our culture, our Lumads, from those who wish to take
advantage of them; of us; of our weaknesses.
. Government operations will be more transparent and accountability of
public officials and employees will be bolstered with the full operation of
the electronic-national government accounting system or e-NGAS,
the electronic-real property tax system or e-RPTS and the electronic-
human resource management information system or e-HRMIS.
Installation of these three systems is done in close collaboration with the
National Computer Center and the Commission on Audit. To some
significant extent, this partnership with national offices has saved the
provincial government from the prohibitive cost of pursuing electronic-
governance, simply called, e-governance.
. And a lot more, that by the time the next Family Income and expenditures
Survey will be conducted, I am hopeful that the Province of Zamboanga
del Norte shall have extricated itself from the list of the poorest provinces
in the country; if not, cut into half our poverty incidence in the next 3 years.


. UNA SA TANAN, ANG KATAWHAN will continue to be our guiding
principle in the delivery of government services, programs and projects, in
serving the people with compassion, justice and equity.
. I take this occasion to express our gratitude to the donor
communities like the WMCIP, BIAR
. DAGHANG SALAMAT UG MAAYONG HAPON.
. PIA DALABONG!
. ABANTE PA, ZANORTE !