BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Governor Leonard Mayaen called on municipal mayors in the province to focus on social services.
The governor gave the advice after noting only Mayor Gavino Bucok of Paracelis was present during the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-initiated Provincial "Operation Listo" Convergence Action Planning held recently in this capital town.
Mayaen said social services like disaster programs and activities are vital in development adding there are concerns only the local chief executives can address.
These could also ensure their political survival, he said. No longer is political survival gauged through infrastructure development.
The governor believed he was reelected in 2013 because of his administration’s focus on social services delivery since his return in 2010 as governor.
Mayaen pointed out the provincial government was awarded the Seal of Disaster Preparedness and the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping for two consecutive years for complying and coming out with programs and activities in social services.
This he said may be replicated by the municipal government.
As recipients of the awards, he said the provincial government is entitled to various development programs from other government agencies like the P5 million from the Road Users Tax from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
He added the provincial government was able to access loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines, which was distributed to the municipalities for the improvement of provincial roads.
The provincial head suggested DILG, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection could recommend to the various awards program local government units whose political leaders are always present in important activities like the Provincial “Listo” Convergence action planning activity. (Andrew Doga-ong)