Governor to trumpet gains of her Byahe sa Kadaugan
(July 28, 2018)
Governor Sol Matugas is set to deliver her Report to the People popularly dubbed as State of the Province Address (SOPA) this July 27, 2018 at the Provincial Convention Center.
Provincial officials, municipal leaders, barangay representatives, chiefs of offices and delegates from the national line agencies will join Team Capitol as they listen to the soulful words that will emanate from the visionary Governor.
Gov. Matugas is set to close shop of the HEALS PLUS, respecting the delivery of basic services, as she brings reform-oriented governance closer to the people.
Poverty reduction, the award-winning Governor, maintained, has been dramatic, from 48.9% in 2009 to 26.7% recently, based on fresh data from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
According to the visionary leader of the province, this statistic has all the more driven everyone to keep the energy penetrating and robust, ‘driving us to a more determined track towards making barangay emancipation a potent enzyme for nonstop development and overarching advancement.’
Cutting down on poverty incidence is a colossal triumph, of a powerhouse group so grand enough to confront the issues of inadequate revenues, unsteady peace situation, economic deficiency, and many others.
“Anchored on the gains of the first two terms, the administration shifted, gearing towards the policy of Convergence, lightening the team’s spirit, aligning our objectives to the new Duterte administration, as the guiding principle towards attaining a sustained growth.
Set against these goals – we traversed the journey of 365 days, fuelled by the resources that we diligently earned as we intensified revenue generation efforts over the years.
For the first half of 2017, we have already generated a total income of P721million, resulting to a drastic decrease in the IRA dependency rate from 88% in 2010 to 61.7% in 2017. The continuous decrease in the IRA dependency rate is one remarkable achievement of effective and strengthened revenue generation strategies in my pursuit to make this province self-reliant over time.
This administration’s legacy of good governance is noted not only by its capacity to sustain the increasing earnings, but also its ability to strategically allocate funds that enables us to maximize the benefits out of our limited resources.
Another major accomplishment of the administration is its full payment of the P370M loan amount acquired by the previous administration,” said Gov. Matugas during her SOPA in 2017.
Let us look back on the achievements of the Matugas administration detailed in her recent SOPA.
It should be recalled that Gov. Matugas said that in consonance with the HEALS PLUS Byahe sa Kadaugan, poverty must continue to decline with the following priority programs, to wit:
A. HEALTH
Under the health sector, we have achieved accomplishments on our provincial health status aligned to the Department of Health’s agenda of “All for Health Towards Health for All,” resulting to better health outcomes.
We have decreased our malnutrition rate by 1.1%. This was a result of the concerted efforts of the health and social services departments which provided vitamins, immunization and feeding programs, among others.
Our neonatal mortality rate and Infant Mortality Rate is already below the target. Deaths of children under five years old likewise decreased.
These achievements were made possible because of the construction of new birthing clinics, providing ambulances which helped strengthened referral system for obstetric emergencies and conduct of advocacy on the reduction of maternal deaths, among many other interventions.
To institutionalize our efforts, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed and approved related legislative actions in support of this program, to include:
On communicable diseases, the province has been declared Malaria Free for years, with an accomplishment rate of 93% in our Filariasis Mass Treatment in 20 endemic municipalities against the national average of 85%.
TB Detection Rate is achieved by 107.5% against the national average of 85%, 91% cure rate against the target of 85% and 90.9% treatment success rate against the national average of 90%.
Helping us achieve this target are the interventions that we have implemented which includes the fact that 19 out of 20 or 95 % of our Rural Health Units are DOH Certified and TB DOTS Phil Health Accredited. We have also established a Treatment Satellite Center in Siargao District Hospital and strengthened advocacy work in other agencies.
Leprosy is no longer a major public health problem in the province for it has already attained a decreasing prevalence rate of 0.46% for 15 years now.
We have achieved a 97.8% accomplishment in providing households with safe water supply as against the national average of 88%.
We are pleased to inform you that as early as August of this year, we will already complete the requirements for the Level 1 accreditation of our Provincial Hospital and we will be working with partner hospitals like the Davao Doctors Hospital and the Vicente Sotto Hospital who can assist us in management and operations.
This will be a fulfilment of a dream to have a state-of-the-art government hospital right here in our midst, and we are getting there. To further expand the services of the hospital to patients based in the city, we have opened the Outpatient Department at the Provincial Gymnasium, complete with medical, dental and eye care consultation services and a standby Ambulance and Dental Bus courtesy of the Department of Health.
The Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte collaborated with the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) for a three-year eye health program with a total grant of P20million, in support of the DOH’s Prevention of blindness program.
The program undertakings included the provision of services in its:
The DOH Regional Office 13 has likewise provided an additional technical and financial assistance in the amount of P100,000.00 for eyeglasses of BHWs and PWDs.
All our health care facilities provide the free hospitalization services to patients thru the Medical Assistance Program of the DOH where a total of 15million was spent in 2016 for patients who needed further diagnosis and surgeries in hospitals in and outside the province – Butuan Doctors Hospital in Butuan City, Vicente Sotto Medical Center in Cebu City, Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. Just last week, DOH Usec Boy Llacuna and Asec Leonita Gorgolon pronounced the approval of additional P10million for MAP, and P13million trauma center for General Luna.
To complement our free hospitalization services, we have enrolled 1,568 beneficiaries for our Point Of Care program, from 2015 to June 2017.
B. EDUCATION
On empowering the people thru quality Education, the Provincial Government intensified its programs and services thru various interventions in the sector, resulting the overall accomplishments of the three divisions of the Department of Education in the province. I am pleased to announce that,
We take pride in producing our own athletes who had outstanding performances in their respective events during the previous years’ regional and national meet.
To promote the scouting program, we have also covered for the cost of Boy Scout of the Philippines membership fee province-wide in the amount of P1million.
Further, in support of the implementation of the K-12 Program, materials on localized curriculum were produced and teachers were trained for the Senior High School. As of now, we have a total of thirty-three (33) schools offering Senior High with 110 Senior High School teachers.
C. ENVIRONMENT
Despite our growing economy, the Provincial Government never failed to consider environmental integrity in the heart of its programs knowing that it is a key towards sustainable development.
We have strictly monitored the operations of 6 large scale mining companies and a multi-billion peso investment processing plant, so they will continuously adhere to the principles of responsible mining – these are the Taganito Mining Corporation, Hinatuan Mining Corporation, Platinum Group Metals Corp., Silangan Mindanao Mining Corporation , Greenstone Resources Corporation, Adnama Mining Resources Inc. and a hyrdro-metallurgical processing plant for nickel ore, the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation.
We issued policies to respond to the challenges that we are facing in the mining operations, including:
· Executive Order No. 032, “Prohibiting Large Scale Exploration Of Minerals And Expansion Of Mining Operations Of Mining Companies In The Province.”
We also have a proposed ordinance prohibiting all large scale mining companies from placing stockpiles in shorelines and another ordinance requiring them to establish tree parks in all mined-out areas.
The Provincial Government established checkpoints and deployed more Environmental Enforcers province-wide to monitor and apprehend illegal activities, leading to the issuance of Notice of Violations, Cease and Desist Orders and filing of appropriate cases.
We are likewise pleased to announce that all of our municipalities have already complied or submitted their respective Municipal Solid Waste Management Plans which will be their guide in implementing proper solid waste management practices in their areas, to the National Solid Waste Management Commission.
The provincial government’s advocacy tool, the Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao Program, was strengthened with the issuance of Executive Order No. 031, “An Executive Order Enjoining All National Line Agencies (NLAs), Local Government Units (Lgus), And Other Sectors In The Implementation Of The Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao (Kks) Program And Further Declaring September As “Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao” Month In The Province Of Surigao Del Norte. Another ordinance prohibiting or regulating the use of plastic for goods and services is now being formulated by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Province-wide clean-up activities were also sustained thru the conduct mangrove planting activities year-round. The Green Schools Program was also sustained and seedling production was strengthened thru the participation of the People’s Organizations and the DENR.
In support of our greening program, the SP has approved Provincial Ordinance No. 04, or “An Ordinance Declaring June 19 Of Every Year As The Observance Of Arbor Day In The Entire Province Of Surigao Del Norte.”
The Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Office cum Tourism Assistance Center at the municipality of Claver is now operational and partnerships are being forged with the academe for the facility to become a venue for research works on CRM and related fields. The facility was built with the support of the Municipal Government of Claver, the LGU of Hayanggabon and the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation.
We acknowledge the support of the DENR, thru PENRO Luis P. Gonzaga and MGB, thru Regional Director Roger De Dios for being one with us in our goal of protecting the environment in our pursuit for sustainable development.
D. AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE
AGRICULTURE
“Mauswagong pagkaon para sa mga Surigaonon” - this is our battle cry in our effort to strengthen our food security program thru a comprehensive and integrated support to increase production thru the provision of inputs, technologies and facilities.
As we continued to pursue productivity, we also provided the necessary technology and inputs to our farming constituents. Trainings and refresher courses are continuously facilitated by our Extension Workers in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute and PhilRice to keep our farmers abreast with new technologies to become more productive and rice sufficient.
The Department of Agriculture supported the seeds and planting material needs of our farmers together with fertilizers, bactericide and other support inputs. Corn and assorted vegetable seeds were also provided, including high value crops. Various equipment were distributed to identified farmers’ organizations.
The prolonged dry spell and the continued heavy rain brought damage to a consolidated number of 2,669 farms in the province. Responding to this condition, the Philippines Crops Insurance Company (PCIC) was able to insure a total of 3,641.88 hectares of rice land in the province benefiting 3,363 farmers. Our farmers from Mainit, Gigaquit, Surigao City, Placer, Socorro, Malimono and Pilar were able to collect insurance premium from PCIC in the total amount of P 10million.
As we continue to pursue food sufficiency, various interventions in vegetable production program were also provided to different areas and sectors.
The Agri Pinoy Trading Center in Siargao was able to trade 7 metric tons of assorted vegetables with active networks from the Agus Pinoy Cooperative in Agusan del Sur for rice trading.
The National Irrigation Administration irrigated a total of 706 hectares as they constructed, rehabilitated and restored the irrigation systems in different areas in the province, with a total funding of 58 million.
AQUACULTURE
To date, we have sustained 30 Marine Fish Sanctuaries, 3 are ongoing rehabilitation and 6 more areas targeted to be established.
In the HIPADA areas, the implementation of the CRM Plans and Right Sizing of Fishing is anticipated to ensure the sustainable fishery resources in the area.
The Ecofish Project which is funded by the USAID have identified major fisheries management interventions to increase the fishery biomass of our marine waters, promote sustainable livelihood for the fisher folks and most of all protect our seas.
Aside from copra and fish catch, several fisherfolks in Siargao who have coco farms can now get additional income from coco coir production project through EcoFISH’s coordination with Philippine Coconut Authority.
The Winrock International, in our 4th year of partnership, have elevated the economic status of our farmers by providing them with livelihood opportunities, helping 80 farmers in different barangays, engaged in the production of high value fishery products with an estimated worth of P6.2million for the raisers.
VERTERINARY SERVICES
For livestock production, livestock and poultry were maintained at the Demo-Center and additional services were provided to our farmers.
The supply of pork in the province increased by 69 metric tons primarily due to the livelihood assistance extended to 99 hog growers in the city and mainland barangays.
Further, Meat Processing Trainings, Livestock and Poultry Seminars were also provided in various areas, including the Farmers Livestock School in Goat Enterprise Management.
Augmenting our livestock and poultry industry, the “Provincial Livestock Multiplier Farm” supported by the Department of Agriculture, provided production inputs to our Livestock and Poultry Raisers Associations.
Our Serbisyong Panghayop sa Barangay Program, aimed to safeguard animal health in the province and to protect public safety against transmissible animal diseases, covered all of the 20 municipalities in the province, and reached out to 174 barangays, providing veterinary community outreach activities.
Siargao Island has been declared Rabies Free, and the Municipality of Socorro maintained its status as Rabies Free Zone thru our Rabies Control and Eradication Program.
E. LIVELIHOOD AND TOURISM
SKILLS TRAINING
Maximizing the benefits of having both mining and non-mining industries in the province, we continually work for the empowerment of our constituents, making sure that they benefit first in any livelihood opportunities we have.
The Provincial Manpower Training Center continued producing competent and skilled graduates.
Aside from the PMTC, the Provincial Community Training Center (PCTC) also provided skills enhancement opportunities in 3 courses.
While the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Government Internship Program (GIP) accommodated students province-wide with 4,140 and 748 beneficiaries in 2017, respectively.
EMPLOYMENT
Our employment data reveals that we have solicited 30,829 job vacancies, registered 23,814 applicants, and placed or hired 18,769 in various employers. All of our graduates of the PCTC were already employed except for those who graduated in 2017 who are undergoing their OJT in our mining companies.
Further in 2016-2017, we have already 1,329 National Certificate certified students and 1,983 beneficiaries of the Emergency Employment. Our mining companies have also catered a total of 9,017 Surigaonons for employment in support of our Surigaonons First Policy.
To further provide employment and related services, the Provincial Government conducted several activities providing venues for employment related services.
Other National Line Agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology and TESDA likewise provided business starter kits and trainings for different groups in the province.
We are very honoured that our Provincial Community Training Center in Surigao has become recognized for its outstanding performance, 2nd in the entire country, in exceeding all three GAA indicators for TESDA Technology institutions.
ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS
Under our Barangay Economic Empowerment Program, the Puhunan sa Pag-asenso (PSP) of the Provincial Government has already jumpstarted, bringing government services closer to the people through its various entrepreneurial mechanisms down to the barangay level. Under the BEEP, we have initially a total of 367 recipients of the Puhunan sa Pag-asenso amounting to over P2million.
Together with the Department of Trade and Industries, trainings on How to Start a Small Business, Basic Financial Literacy, and other entrepreneurial capacity development activities were provided to the Surigaonons.
The Market Day sa Surigao’s Best provided a venue for agricultural and local product dealers to showcase their goods and services to the customers.
Another significant milestone we had last year included our hosting of the 25th Mindanao Business Conference Trade Fair and Exhibit.
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
On Cooperative Development, the Provincial Government continued to provide soft loans to individuals and cooperatives thru the Panginabuhi Sa Barangay Program.
TOURISM
To position the province as “A world class tourism destination offering the finest experience with its diverse attractions and adventures while preserving environmental integrity sustained by strong partnership among stakeholders”, the Provincial Government intensified its endeavours under the tourism sector.
The province’s tourism promotion and marketing efforts was intensified that we are now considered by the Department of Tourism as having the highest foreign tourist arrivals in the region. Our tourist arrivals posted an increase in tourism-related establishments to 9.7% as of 2017. This can be attributed to the continued influx of domestic and foreign tourists in Siargao Island. And with the additional Siargao-Manila direct flights daily, it is anticipated to increase further.
To open new tourism sites in Siargao and the mainland municipalities, we have likewise conducted an assessment of potential destinations in other municipalities, with new circuits that we will be promoting this year.
We have also participated in various tourism conventions, exhibits and travel fairs, and conducted capacity building activities for the tourism stakeholders.
Our Culture, Arts, and Heritage Promotions were also demonstrated with the celebration of the Buyan Nan Arte Sanan Kultura Surigaonon, Sajaw Surigao, Founding Anniversary of One Surigao, and Adlaw Nan Surigao celebrations.
More projects for tourism development have started with early coordination activities under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority projects with the support from the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Transportation and Communications, among others. This will make possible the opening of more roads leading to tourism destination, in the mainland and Siargao Island municipalities.
F. SOCIAL SERVICES
Child and Youth welfare were intensified in the province thru the establishment and continued operation of our Day Care Centers manned by competent Day Care Workers who are provided with monthly honoraria. Programs on health and education, specifically designed for children, protecting their welfare and promoting their rights are trickled down to the municipalities.
We were recognized as Best Implementer of the Philippine Population Management Program in 2017 in the regional level, and 1st to have issued a Policy on the Organization of the Provincial Implementation Team on RP-RH Law in the entire Caraga in 2017.
Youth empowerment was also intensified with the conduct of Young Entrepreneurs Forum and the 1st Provincial Youth Convergence. The Sports Development Council was also organized in order to intensify our sports development to complement our desire to empower the youth sector.
Our Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAO) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) have also helped us win the battle against malnutrition in the province.
The Provincial Government also continued giving various assistance to those in need.
Programs for the Senior Citizens such as meetings and medical assistance continued. Honorarium for federated presidents and medical assistance Senior Citizens aged 80 years above were provided, with legislative support from the SP who approved an Ordinance Providing Financial Assistance for Indigent Senior Citizens Ages 80years old and above.
Programs for Persons with Disabilities were provided for and they were given priority in employment opportunities with the legislation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approving A Resolution Enjoining All Establishments, Agencies and other Organizations to Employ Persons with Disabilities.
At present, we also have 9 IPS pursuing college education. There was also a total of 289 indigent IP patients in 2017 that were provided with medicine/medical assistance.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
We got the first runner up title in the GAWAD KALASAG Search which will be awarded this August of this year.
Our Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Programs were also strengthened for social protection. This was demonstrated in the completion of the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and continuing of the Barangay Disaster Volunteer Program which has helped enhance the capacities of our Disaster Response Teams. The Incident Management capacity of DRRM personnel was also strengthened. DRRM program was extended to schools to strengthen the drive for public safety.
First Aide and Basic Life Support/WASAR Trainings were conducted in different areas in the province.
For the Community-Based Early Warning System, two (2) Deep seated sensors for landslide were installed in Barangay San Carlos, Dapa and Barangay Oslao, San Francisco in partnership with the PHIVOLCS.
Information Education Campaign was also conducted in 7 municipalities wherein Hazards Maps were distributed to Siargao Municipalities and all secondary and tertiary schools. We thank the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for making this possible.
Intensifying our efforts in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, we were also able to distribute Disaster Reference Books to schools.
These materials were provided for from the Corporate Social Responsibility of mining companies.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has also approved a Resolution Urging All Schools Levels for the Integration of the Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation Program in their Curriculum, to institutionalize DRR/CCA Advocacy among our youth.
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Community Praise and Worship and Recollection activities were also conducted province-wide to advocate spiritual enhancement. Regular Monday Morning Sharing, as well as regular Mass were also held in the Provincial Capitol to promote good values and spirituality.
SECURITY SERVICES
Crime clearance efficiency and crime solution efficiency likewise increased in the past 3 years.
Drug surrendees has reached level high as we actively manifested our support to the national government’s call against illegal drugs thru the activation of the Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council as well as the Municipal and Barangay Drug Abuse Councils, and the conduct of a series of Anti-Drug Planning Workshops.
DEVELOPING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
The upgrading of our infrastructure has given us competitive advantage in field of Trade, Commerce & Industry, Tourism and Economic development. The increasing number of tourist attraction discoveries was made possible due to the concreting of roads both in the Mainland and Siargao Island, making Surigao del Norte a target for more business ventures and job opportunities. The rehabilitation of Farm to Market roads placed a great impact to our farmers and fishermen’s livelihood.
by: John Glenn Platil
Governor Sol Matugas is set to deliver her Report to the People popularly dubbed as State of the Province Address (SOPA) this July 27, 2018 at the Provincial Convention Center.
Provincial officials, municipal leaders, barangay representatives, chiefs of offices and delegates from the national line agencies will join Team Capitol as they listen to the soulful words that will emanate from the visionary Governor.
Gov. Matugas is set to close shop of the HEALS PLUS, respecting the delivery of basic services, as she brings reform-oriented governance closer to the people.
Poverty reduction, the award-winning Governor, maintained, has been dramatic, from 48.9% in 2009 to 26.7% recently, based on fresh data from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
According to the visionary leader of the province, this statistic has all the more driven everyone to keep the energy penetrating and robust, ‘driving us to a more determined track towards making barangay emancipation a potent enzyme for nonstop development and overarching advancement.’
Cutting down on poverty incidence is a colossal triumph, of a powerhouse group so grand enough to confront the issues of inadequate revenues, unsteady peace situation, economic deficiency, and many others.
“Anchored on the gains of the first two terms, the administration shifted, gearing towards the policy of Convergence, lightening the team’s spirit, aligning our objectives to the new Duterte administration, as the guiding principle towards attaining a sustained growth.
Set against these goals – we traversed the journey of 365 days, fuelled by the resources that we diligently earned as we intensified revenue generation efforts over the years.
For the first half of 2017, we have already generated a total income of P721million, resulting to a drastic decrease in the IRA dependency rate from 88% in 2010 to 61.7% in 2017. The continuous decrease in the IRA dependency rate is one remarkable achievement of effective and strengthened revenue generation strategies in my pursuit to make this province self-reliant over time.
This administration’s legacy of good governance is noted not only by its capacity to sustain the increasing earnings, but also its ability to strategically allocate funds that enables us to maximize the benefits out of our limited resources.
Another major accomplishment of the administration is its full payment of the P370M loan amount acquired by the previous administration,” said Gov. Matugas during her SOPA in 2017.
Let us look back on the achievements of the Matugas administration detailed in her recent SOPA.
It should be recalled that Gov. Matugas said that in consonance with the HEALS PLUS Byahe sa Kadaugan, poverty must continue to decline with the following priority programs, to wit:
- Complete the Cuban Health system, Service Delivery Network
- Focus on public health to encourage preventive remedy than curative medication
- Focus also on Hospital development, as well as updating of facilities – having resemblance with the Dipolog City Hospital which like the SDNPH in Placer is a Level I facility yet the Dipolog hospice is fully equipped with state-of-the-art amenities like MRI, CT scan, mammogram, ultrasound, xray, very good laboratory, almost everything
- Enhance the Rice center project and swine production initiative.
- Build more sanctuaries and initiate more market encounters
- Build farm schools and move towards mechanized farming. Expand irrigation.
- Improve the economic competitiveness by looking into the investment side of the program.
- Venture to look into adventure tourism, heritage tourism, and farm tourism.
- Build more eco-farms. Concentrate on waste management, and water treatment under the environmental conservation program.
- Make sure your program among the women, youth, especially among the Sangguniang Kabataan, and children from other sectors especially children in conflict areas should be our focus
- Expand cooperativism and venture into food packaging.
- Make good with Puhunan sa Pag-asenso (PSP)
- Request SP members, our partners ion development to craft policies and legislations that would support programs in different departments. Give us the legislative agenda on HEALS - that’s what we need – enactment.
- Sustain the campaign of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte against illegal narcotics and all forms of criminality
A. HEALTH
Under the health sector, we have achieved accomplishments on our provincial health status aligned to the Department of Health’s agenda of “All for Health Towards Health for All,” resulting to better health outcomes.
We have decreased our malnutrition rate by 1.1%. This was a result of the concerted efforts of the health and social services departments which provided vitamins, immunization and feeding programs, among others.
Our neonatal mortality rate and Infant Mortality Rate is already below the target. Deaths of children under five years old likewise decreased.
These achievements were made possible because of the construction of new birthing clinics, providing ambulances which helped strengthened referral system for obstetric emergencies and conduct of advocacy on the reduction of maternal deaths, among many other interventions.
To institutionalize our efforts, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed and approved related legislative actions in support of this program, to include:
- “An Ordinance Regulating or Prohibiting the Practice of Home Deliveries or Deliveries Attended by Traditional Birth Attendants and Requiring All Professional Health Practitioners to Deliver Babies Only in Health Facilities.”
- “A Resolution Directing DepEd, DOH and PHO to Revive the Population Education Program to Address the Increasing Numbers of Teenage Pregnancy in the Province.”
On communicable diseases, the province has been declared Malaria Free for years, with an accomplishment rate of 93% in our Filariasis Mass Treatment in 20 endemic municipalities against the national average of 85%.
TB Detection Rate is achieved by 107.5% against the national average of 85%, 91% cure rate against the target of 85% and 90.9% treatment success rate against the national average of 90%.
Helping us achieve this target are the interventions that we have implemented which includes the fact that 19 out of 20 or 95 % of our Rural Health Units are DOH Certified and TB DOTS Phil Health Accredited. We have also established a Treatment Satellite Center in Siargao District Hospital and strengthened advocacy work in other agencies.
Leprosy is no longer a major public health problem in the province for it has already attained a decreasing prevalence rate of 0.46% for 15 years now.
We have achieved a 97.8% accomplishment in providing households with safe water supply as against the national average of 88%.
We are pleased to inform you that as early as August of this year, we will already complete the requirements for the Level 1 accreditation of our Provincial Hospital and we will be working with partner hospitals like the Davao Doctors Hospital and the Vicente Sotto Hospital who can assist us in management and operations.
This will be a fulfilment of a dream to have a state-of-the-art government hospital right here in our midst, and we are getting there. To further expand the services of the hospital to patients based in the city, we have opened the Outpatient Department at the Provincial Gymnasium, complete with medical, dental and eye care consultation services and a standby Ambulance and Dental Bus courtesy of the Department of Health.
The Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte collaborated with the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) for a three-year eye health program with a total grant of P20million, in support of the DOH’s Prevention of blindness program.
The program undertakings included the provision of services in its:
- School based eye health program
- Primary eye care
- Quality secondary level eye health service
The DOH Regional Office 13 has likewise provided an additional technical and financial assistance in the amount of P100,000.00 for eyeglasses of BHWs and PWDs.
All our health care facilities provide the free hospitalization services to patients thru the Medical Assistance Program of the DOH where a total of 15million was spent in 2016 for patients who needed further diagnosis and surgeries in hospitals in and outside the province – Butuan Doctors Hospital in Butuan City, Vicente Sotto Medical Center in Cebu City, Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. Just last week, DOH Usec Boy Llacuna and Asec Leonita Gorgolon pronounced the approval of additional P10million for MAP, and P13million trauma center for General Luna.
To complement our free hospitalization services, we have enrolled 1,568 beneficiaries for our Point Of Care program, from 2015 to June 2017.
B. EDUCATION
On empowering the people thru quality Education, the Provincial Government intensified its programs and services thru various interventions in the sector, resulting the overall accomplishments of the three divisions of the Department of Education in the province. I am pleased to announce that,
- We have increased 0.49% in the Participation rate of elementary pupils and 1.34% for Secondary students.
- We have decreased the Drop-out rate by 0.36% for the elementary and 0.06 for the secondary level. This is an outcome of the various interventions we have made, which includes the following programs.
We take pride in producing our own athletes who had outstanding performances in their respective events during the previous years’ regional and national meet.
To promote the scouting program, we have also covered for the cost of Boy Scout of the Philippines membership fee province-wide in the amount of P1million.
Further, in support of the implementation of the K-12 Program, materials on localized curriculum were produced and teachers were trained for the Senior High School. As of now, we have a total of thirty-three (33) schools offering Senior High with 110 Senior High School teachers.
C. ENVIRONMENT
Despite our growing economy, the Provincial Government never failed to consider environmental integrity in the heart of its programs knowing that it is a key towards sustainable development.
We have strictly monitored the operations of 6 large scale mining companies and a multi-billion peso investment processing plant, so they will continuously adhere to the principles of responsible mining – these are the Taganito Mining Corporation, Hinatuan Mining Corporation, Platinum Group Metals Corp., Silangan Mindanao Mining Corporation , Greenstone Resources Corporation, Adnama Mining Resources Inc. and a hyrdro-metallurgical processing plant for nickel ore, the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation.
We issued policies to respond to the challenges that we are facing in the mining operations, including:
· Executive Order No. 032, “Prohibiting Large Scale Exploration Of Minerals And Expansion Of Mining Operations Of Mining Companies In The Province.”
We also have a proposed ordinance prohibiting all large scale mining companies from placing stockpiles in shorelines and another ordinance requiring them to establish tree parks in all mined-out areas.
The Provincial Government established checkpoints and deployed more Environmental Enforcers province-wide to monitor and apprehend illegal activities, leading to the issuance of Notice of Violations, Cease and Desist Orders and filing of appropriate cases.
We are likewise pleased to announce that all of our municipalities have already complied or submitted their respective Municipal Solid Waste Management Plans which will be their guide in implementing proper solid waste management practices in their areas, to the National Solid Waste Management Commission.
The provincial government’s advocacy tool, the Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao Program, was strengthened with the issuance of Executive Order No. 031, “An Executive Order Enjoining All National Line Agencies (NLAs), Local Government Units (Lgus), And Other Sectors In The Implementation Of The Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao (Kks) Program And Further Declaring September As “Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao” Month In The Province Of Surigao Del Norte. Another ordinance prohibiting or regulating the use of plastic for goods and services is now being formulated by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Province-wide clean-up activities were also sustained thru the conduct mangrove planting activities year-round. The Green Schools Program was also sustained and seedling production was strengthened thru the participation of the People’s Organizations and the DENR.
In support of our greening program, the SP has approved Provincial Ordinance No. 04, or “An Ordinance Declaring June 19 Of Every Year As The Observance Of Arbor Day In The Entire Province Of Surigao Del Norte.”
The Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Office cum Tourism Assistance Center at the municipality of Claver is now operational and partnerships are being forged with the academe for the facility to become a venue for research works on CRM and related fields. The facility was built with the support of the Municipal Government of Claver, the LGU of Hayanggabon and the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation.
We acknowledge the support of the DENR, thru PENRO Luis P. Gonzaga and MGB, thru Regional Director Roger De Dios for being one with us in our goal of protecting the environment in our pursuit for sustainable development.
D. AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE
AGRICULTURE
“Mauswagong pagkaon para sa mga Surigaonon” - this is our battle cry in our effort to strengthen our food security program thru a comprehensive and integrated support to increase production thru the provision of inputs, technologies and facilities.
As we continued to pursue productivity, we also provided the necessary technology and inputs to our farming constituents. Trainings and refresher courses are continuously facilitated by our Extension Workers in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute and PhilRice to keep our farmers abreast with new technologies to become more productive and rice sufficient.
The Department of Agriculture supported the seeds and planting material needs of our farmers together with fertilizers, bactericide and other support inputs. Corn and assorted vegetable seeds were also provided, including high value crops. Various equipment were distributed to identified farmers’ organizations.
The prolonged dry spell and the continued heavy rain brought damage to a consolidated number of 2,669 farms in the province. Responding to this condition, the Philippines Crops Insurance Company (PCIC) was able to insure a total of 3,641.88 hectares of rice land in the province benefiting 3,363 farmers. Our farmers from Mainit, Gigaquit, Surigao City, Placer, Socorro, Malimono and Pilar were able to collect insurance premium from PCIC in the total amount of P 10million.
As we continue to pursue food sufficiency, various interventions in vegetable production program were also provided to different areas and sectors.
The Agri Pinoy Trading Center in Siargao was able to trade 7 metric tons of assorted vegetables with active networks from the Agus Pinoy Cooperative in Agusan del Sur for rice trading.
The National Irrigation Administration irrigated a total of 706 hectares as they constructed, rehabilitated and restored the irrigation systems in different areas in the province, with a total funding of 58 million.
AQUACULTURE
To date, we have sustained 30 Marine Fish Sanctuaries, 3 are ongoing rehabilitation and 6 more areas targeted to be established.
In the HIPADA areas, the implementation of the CRM Plans and Right Sizing of Fishing is anticipated to ensure the sustainable fishery resources in the area.
The Ecofish Project which is funded by the USAID have identified major fisheries management interventions to increase the fishery biomass of our marine waters, promote sustainable livelihood for the fisher folks and most of all protect our seas.
Aside from copra and fish catch, several fisherfolks in Siargao who have coco farms can now get additional income from coco coir production project through EcoFISH’s coordination with Philippine Coconut Authority.
The Winrock International, in our 4th year of partnership, have elevated the economic status of our farmers by providing them with livelihood opportunities, helping 80 farmers in different barangays, engaged in the production of high value fishery products with an estimated worth of P6.2million for the raisers.
VERTERINARY SERVICES
For livestock production, livestock and poultry were maintained at the Demo-Center and additional services were provided to our farmers.
The supply of pork in the province increased by 69 metric tons primarily due to the livelihood assistance extended to 99 hog growers in the city and mainland barangays.
Further, Meat Processing Trainings, Livestock and Poultry Seminars were also provided in various areas, including the Farmers Livestock School in Goat Enterprise Management.
Augmenting our livestock and poultry industry, the “Provincial Livestock Multiplier Farm” supported by the Department of Agriculture, provided production inputs to our Livestock and Poultry Raisers Associations.
Our Serbisyong Panghayop sa Barangay Program, aimed to safeguard animal health in the province and to protect public safety against transmissible animal diseases, covered all of the 20 municipalities in the province, and reached out to 174 barangays, providing veterinary community outreach activities.
Siargao Island has been declared Rabies Free, and the Municipality of Socorro maintained its status as Rabies Free Zone thru our Rabies Control and Eradication Program.
E. LIVELIHOOD AND TOURISM
SKILLS TRAINING
Maximizing the benefits of having both mining and non-mining industries in the province, we continually work for the empowerment of our constituents, making sure that they benefit first in any livelihood opportunities we have.
The Provincial Manpower Training Center continued producing competent and skilled graduates.
Aside from the PMTC, the Provincial Community Training Center (PCTC) also provided skills enhancement opportunities in 3 courses.
While the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Government Internship Program (GIP) accommodated students province-wide with 4,140 and 748 beneficiaries in 2017, respectively.
EMPLOYMENT
Our employment data reveals that we have solicited 30,829 job vacancies, registered 23,814 applicants, and placed or hired 18,769 in various employers. All of our graduates of the PCTC were already employed except for those who graduated in 2017 who are undergoing their OJT in our mining companies.
Further in 2016-2017, we have already 1,329 National Certificate certified students and 1,983 beneficiaries of the Emergency Employment. Our mining companies have also catered a total of 9,017 Surigaonons for employment in support of our Surigaonons First Policy.
To further provide employment and related services, the Provincial Government conducted several activities providing venues for employment related services.
Other National Line Agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology and TESDA likewise provided business starter kits and trainings for different groups in the province.
We are very honoured that our Provincial Community Training Center in Surigao has become recognized for its outstanding performance, 2nd in the entire country, in exceeding all three GAA indicators for TESDA Technology institutions.
ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS
Under our Barangay Economic Empowerment Program, the Puhunan sa Pag-asenso (PSP) of the Provincial Government has already jumpstarted, bringing government services closer to the people through its various entrepreneurial mechanisms down to the barangay level. Under the BEEP, we have initially a total of 367 recipients of the Puhunan sa Pag-asenso amounting to over P2million.
Together with the Department of Trade and Industries, trainings on How to Start a Small Business, Basic Financial Literacy, and other entrepreneurial capacity development activities were provided to the Surigaonons.
The Market Day sa Surigao’s Best provided a venue for agricultural and local product dealers to showcase their goods and services to the customers.
Another significant milestone we had last year included our hosting of the 25th Mindanao Business Conference Trade Fair and Exhibit.
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
On Cooperative Development, the Provincial Government continued to provide soft loans to individuals and cooperatives thru the Panginabuhi Sa Barangay Program.
TOURISM
To position the province as “A world class tourism destination offering the finest experience with its diverse attractions and adventures while preserving environmental integrity sustained by strong partnership among stakeholders”, the Provincial Government intensified its endeavours under the tourism sector.
The province’s tourism promotion and marketing efforts was intensified that we are now considered by the Department of Tourism as having the highest foreign tourist arrivals in the region. Our tourist arrivals posted an increase in tourism-related establishments to 9.7% as of 2017. This can be attributed to the continued influx of domestic and foreign tourists in Siargao Island. And with the additional Siargao-Manila direct flights daily, it is anticipated to increase further.
To open new tourism sites in Siargao and the mainland municipalities, we have likewise conducted an assessment of potential destinations in other municipalities, with new circuits that we will be promoting this year.
We have also participated in various tourism conventions, exhibits and travel fairs, and conducted capacity building activities for the tourism stakeholders.
Our Culture, Arts, and Heritage Promotions were also demonstrated with the celebration of the Buyan Nan Arte Sanan Kultura Surigaonon, Sajaw Surigao, Founding Anniversary of One Surigao, and Adlaw Nan Surigao celebrations.
More projects for tourism development have started with early coordination activities under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority projects with the support from the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Transportation and Communications, among others. This will make possible the opening of more roads leading to tourism destination, in the mainland and Siargao Island municipalities.
F. SOCIAL SERVICES
Child and Youth welfare were intensified in the province thru the establishment and continued operation of our Day Care Centers manned by competent Day Care Workers who are provided with monthly honoraria. Programs on health and education, specifically designed for children, protecting their welfare and promoting their rights are trickled down to the municipalities.
We were recognized as Best Implementer of the Philippine Population Management Program in 2017 in the regional level, and 1st to have issued a Policy on the Organization of the Provincial Implementation Team on RP-RH Law in the entire Caraga in 2017.
Youth empowerment was also intensified with the conduct of Young Entrepreneurs Forum and the 1st Provincial Youth Convergence. The Sports Development Council was also organized in order to intensify our sports development to complement our desire to empower the youth sector.
Our Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAO) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) have also helped us win the battle against malnutrition in the province.
The Provincial Government also continued giving various assistance to those in need.
Programs for the Senior Citizens such as meetings and medical assistance continued. Honorarium for federated presidents and medical assistance Senior Citizens aged 80 years above were provided, with legislative support from the SP who approved an Ordinance Providing Financial Assistance for Indigent Senior Citizens Ages 80years old and above.
Programs for Persons with Disabilities were provided for and they were given priority in employment opportunities with the legislation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approving A Resolution Enjoining All Establishments, Agencies and other Organizations to Employ Persons with Disabilities.
At present, we also have 9 IPS pursuing college education. There was also a total of 289 indigent IP patients in 2017 that were provided with medicine/medical assistance.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
We got the first runner up title in the GAWAD KALASAG Search which will be awarded this August of this year.
Our Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Programs were also strengthened for social protection. This was demonstrated in the completion of the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and continuing of the Barangay Disaster Volunteer Program which has helped enhance the capacities of our Disaster Response Teams. The Incident Management capacity of DRRM personnel was also strengthened. DRRM program was extended to schools to strengthen the drive for public safety.
First Aide and Basic Life Support/WASAR Trainings were conducted in different areas in the province.
For the Community-Based Early Warning System, two (2) Deep seated sensors for landslide were installed in Barangay San Carlos, Dapa and Barangay Oslao, San Francisco in partnership with the PHIVOLCS.
Information Education Campaign was also conducted in 7 municipalities wherein Hazards Maps were distributed to Siargao Municipalities and all secondary and tertiary schools. We thank the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for making this possible.
Intensifying our efforts in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, we were also able to distribute Disaster Reference Books to schools.
These materials were provided for from the Corporate Social Responsibility of mining companies.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has also approved a Resolution Urging All Schools Levels for the Integration of the Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation Program in their Curriculum, to institutionalize DRR/CCA Advocacy among our youth.
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Community Praise and Worship and Recollection activities were also conducted province-wide to advocate spiritual enhancement. Regular Monday Morning Sharing, as well as regular Mass were also held in the Provincial Capitol to promote good values and spirituality.
SECURITY SERVICES
Crime clearance efficiency and crime solution efficiency likewise increased in the past 3 years.
Drug surrendees has reached level high as we actively manifested our support to the national government’s call against illegal drugs thru the activation of the Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council as well as the Municipal and Barangay Drug Abuse Councils, and the conduct of a series of Anti-Drug Planning Workshops.
DEVELOPING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
The upgrading of our infrastructure has given us competitive advantage in field of Trade, Commerce & Industry, Tourism and Economic development. The increasing number of tourist attraction discoveries was made possible due to the concreting of roads both in the Mainland and Siargao Island, making Surigao del Norte a target for more business ventures and job opportunities. The rehabilitation of Farm to Market roads placed a great impact to our farmers and fishermen’s livelihood.
by: John Glenn Platil
