CLARK FREEPORT – Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda convened on Tuesday all 505 barangay officials including municipal mayors in an inter-agency meeting to look for ways and means on how the Provincial Government could help on problems besetting their respective towns and villages.
During the meeting, they have tackled various issues on disaster preparedness, public works, agriculture, crop insurance, health, Philhealth insurance, education, incoming barangay elections, solid waste, among others.
Governor Pineda said the inter-agency meeting held at Mimosa Convention Center, was also aimed at updating the newly elected local leaders on the status of the programs and activities of all concerned agencies and their role in disaster preparedness.
The governor said the barangay officials should submit their accomplishments, future plans and program of works so that the Provincial Government could determine where they could intervene.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), together with the National Telecommunication Commissions, presented the communication plan of the province to be used in information dissemination and early warning system that may be employed during disaster.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported the completed and ongoing flood mitigation projects in the province particularly the rehabilitation of San Fernando- Sto. Tomas- Minalin Tail Dike which has affected the said towns and city last year during the height of Habagat.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) reported the solid waste management plan of the province and the expected role of the LGUs and the barangay officials.
Malcom Garma, school superintendent of Department of Education (DepEd) Pampanga, said classrooms would only be utilized as pick-up points for eventual transfer to municipal evacuation centers.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave complete updates on the incoming barangay elections which would be held on the last week of October.
Arsenia Torres, manager of Philhealth Pampanga branch, explained the additional services of the agency under the National Insurance Law of 2013.
Mirvie Apostol Fabia, provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), presented their assessment on the performance of the barangay officials and the Provincial Police Office with regard to the reported the peace and order status of the province wherein crime volume decreased by 3 percent compare to the previous year.