State of the Municipality Address
92nd Adlaw ng Del Carmen
October 20, 2012
Honorable Alfredo Matugas Coro II
Municipal Mayor
Muncipality of Del Carmen
Siargao Islands, Surigao Del Norte
Greetings:
Governor Sol Matugas, Congressman Lalo Matugas, Vice Governor Junjun Egay, Members of the Provincial Board, Usec Jose Mari Oquinena of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office, Vice Mayor Locloc Dulgeime, Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Bayan ng Del Carmen, Heads of Various National Agencies and Offices, LGU Department Heads, My Parents – Atty Alfredo Gonzales Coro and Engr Baby Matugas Coro, My Family – Wife Lizabeth Ong Coro and sons Alfredo III & Ibarra Lee, Siblings and Relatives – (Dona Abeth Abejo, Engr Neneng Monares, Mr Darius Matugas) , Collegues in Government, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning.
Introduction:
Thank you to all Del Carmenons for believing in our leadership, our governance and our dreams. I was told, this is a first in Siargao’s history to have a Mayor run unopposed. For this honor and privilege, I owe the people service above self, and to serve more and not to be served.
What we have committed to you is to try and deliver, with the best of our ability and with very pure intentions, public service that is for the people, needed by the people, and sustained by the people.
I stand before the honorable members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Del Carmen led by the Chairman, Vice Mayor Renato Dulgeime to present the state of the municipality of our 2nd full year of service.
Before we proceed, let us be reminded of our vision and mission:
Vision: An active citizenry and competent Government with a sustainable Agri Eco-Tourism driven economy
Mission: To deliver quality social services through community driven development and partnerships.
Performance Reporting:
It has been a great journey of learning for everyone. Together, we have shared in the progress and development of our municipality with the support of our partners in the public, non-government organizations and private sectors.
General Services:
Current highlights:
1. Ongoing construction and development of two key legacy programs:
a. The New Municipal Site / Building (legacy)
b. Ongoing planning and preparation of the housing program in partnership with the National Housing Authority and the Gawad Kalinga team
2. Government Offices Improvement:
a. Improvement of the Food Terminal services and Environmental Management Office Building
b. Utilization of Mayor Virginia Monsoon’s House as DSWD Program Office
3. Utilization of Information Systems to improve on transparency and governance: eTRACS for Real Estate collection management, improvement of the internet capability in Del Carmen
4. Very strong support of the Sangguniang Bayan for the programs of the executive department
Next Plans:
1. Renovation of the LandBank Building for use of Association of Brgy Captains and MSWD Office
2. Acquisition of Heavy Equipment to Support Maintenance of Municipal and Barangay Roads
3. Utilization of Information System focused on improving governance: eBPLS for business permit issuance, legislative system
Project Management and Infrastructure:
Current highlights:
1. Improving Accessibility to Del Carmen
a. Finally, the new Siargao Domestic Airport was inaugurated last March 2012 with Cebu Pacific increasing flights during peak season
b. In partnership with Gov Sol and Cong Lalo, we are ongoing the completion of the remaining secondary national roads leading to Brgy Mabuhay and Brgy Jamoyaon
c. Continued the Municipal Road Concreting in Barangay Del Carmen and Barangay San Jose
d. Continue Barangay Road Rehabilitation
2. Government Centers
a. Women’s Livelihood Center, Barangay Halls, Evacuation Centers
3. Planning Focus
a. Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Solid Waste Management Plan
4. Coverage improvement of Electricity in Sitios covering almost 100% of Del Carmen
Next Plans:
1. Potable Water solutions will be explored from current DCWD and possible new entrants to finally address all water concerns of Del Carmen
2. Continue improvement of Electricity services
3. Improving Accessibility to Del Carmen
a. The main roads of Antipolo to Quezon is approved at level of lower congress for conversion to secondary national roads and concreting. Will now proceed to Senate for final approval, all through the efforts of Cong Lalo
b. Review of San Fernando to Sayak as secondary national roads is our request to Cong Lalo
4. Cong Lalo Matugas and Gov Sol Matugas has P100M to improve the Siargao Domestic Airport and will soon support bigger planes for possible international flight services and new plane services
5. Sea Port improvement to soon include new passenger terminal, lighthouse and port improvements for Brgy Caub, Brgy San Fernando, Brgy Halian and Brgy Domoyog
6. Government Building Construction for completion / rehabilitation
a. Government Centers: Municipal Trial Court, Senior Citizens Center, BFP Building Completion and PNP Building Construction
Agri Eco-Tourism: (Our Flagship Program to address food security, sustainability and entrepreneurship opportunities)
Current highlights:
1. Agriculture Facilities and Agribusiness Opportunities
a. FMR amounting to 10.7M for the Sayak to Mahayahay Road to start soon
b. FMR amounting to 3.8M for Jamoyawon to Ilihan
c. FMR amounting to 11M for Jamoyawon to Matam-is
d. FMR amounting to 1M for Mabuhay to Tugbungan
e. FMR amounting to 5M for Lobogon to Tuburan
f. CFAD or Agribusiness Opportunities amounting to capitalization of P250K per barangay will be released pending the availability of the receipts of the People’s Organization
g. One Basket Project Development or One Barangay, One Product: 7 out of the 20 barangays have an identified product for further development
b. The LGU with strong support from Gov Sol and Cong Lalo continuous to provide direct assistance to ensure food security and other opportunities for Del Carmen
2. Environmental Sustainability
a. Ongoing EcoTown program of Del Carmen and CCC which are inputs to our CLUP and long term planning
b. Philippine Climate Change Adaption Program has started with the initial supply of the speedboats to complement current patrol boats for monitoring mangroves
c. Watershed and Mangrove Rehabilitation and Protection is ongoing with partners which has an additional support of 5M through Cong Lalo
d. Biodiversity Research Center and Park, planning and design which are ongoing with DOST
e. Siargao Solid Waste Management System project is now starting with DENR and EMB and funded by ADB to be located in Del Carmen in the amount of US$1M
3. Tourism
a. Launched the Byaheng Sugba Campaign and is now doing a good run and support from the members. This is now to be complemented by the viewing deck currently under construction.
b. We are awaiting the release of the 10M grant from the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority for the implementation of the Mangrove Forest Tourism Plan
c. We have increasing number of pension houses being constructed around the poblacion area to support the visitors of Del Carmen
Next Plans:
1. Agriculture
a. Building the PCA supported 50 hectare coconut seedling center which is the first in Caraga Region which is a priority program of Cong Lalo and Gov Sol. This is currently under development in Brgy Esperanza to Brgy Mahayahay
b. Revitalization of the coconut industry to focus on new coconut based products for export
c. Additional FMR with still 7 priority areas
d. Rice Complex development for the rice and corn sustainability to be located in Brgy Antipolo
e. Food Security Roadmap and Food Security Summit will soon be launched
2. Environment
a. Continue the current programs and conservation efforts
b. Focus on Solid Waste Management Program with Barangays
c. Continue to find means and ways to address illegal fishing and mangrove cutting
d. Feasibility Study for Potable Water Systems, Waste Water and Sewerage Management
3. Tourism
a. Construction of the Viewing Deck for Bird Watching and the Tourism Infrastructures per approved by TIEZA
b. Hosting of two major events: Shore It Up Campaign 2013 in September 2013 and GK Siargao Bayani Challenge 2013 in March 2013
Barangay Development:
Current highlights:
1. Community Development
a. Continue the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya, Senior Citizen Pension, PhilHealth and SEA-K with hope of increasing coverage to support more indigent families
b. Barangay Parlor program was launch in November 2011 to support the beauty needs of the barangays
c. Del Carmen is currently implementing the KALAHI-CIDSS Program of the World Bank and the DSWD for community development
2. Education Quality Roadmap execution
a. Feeding Program for children to address malnutrition and improve school participation is ongoing with Jollibee Foundation
b. Development of Education Centers with Gov Sol: New Sayak High School site, 8 Classrooms, 6 Day Care / Preschool rooms, 4 Common Toilets, Handwashing Stations, ALS Training Center for East and West Districts, Speech Laboratory for DCNHS
c. Education Governance Initiatives:
• Literacy Campaign with storytelling in Schools and through the Mobile Library
• Teachers training in storytelling, administration and multiple intelligence are being scheduled
• Education Caravan of Gov Sol for the children
d. Surigao State College of Technology – Del Carmen Campus is now Surigao State University. Our current programs include:
• Almost 150 various College scholarship programs for 2012-13
• Improvement of School Equipment as supported by various patrons of the college
• Agri-Fishery Course Offering from SY 2013
3. Health Governance Initiatives
a. Health Governance Initiatives:
• Successful Health Fair 2012 and Buntis Congress 2012
• Launching of the Barangay Health Board and Seal of Health Governance for the Barangays
b. Health Centers Development: RHU Rehabilitation, 2 Birthing Facilities, DOH Operations Center Siargao
c. Panambay sa Barangay through Gov Sol and Cong Lalo and the Medical Missions of various partners has helped decrease health concerns serving almost 7000 patients for the past few months
Next Plans:
1. Community Development
a. Gov Sol and Cong Lalo’s unequalled support for the counterpart needs to various programs have given us hope of attaining the various programs.
2. Health and Education programs will be sustained support from partners:
a. Health Centers: DC District Hospital, RHU Improvements, Water Testing Center, 6 Brgy Health Station / Birthing Facility
b. Education Centers: 20 Classrooms, 4 Day Care / 10 Preschool, 10 Common Toilets, Water Systems, Playgrounds, Day Care Training Center
c. Strengthen Barangay Collaboration: Barangay Health Board and Barangay Education Board
Finance and Monitoring:
Current highlights:
1. Monitoring and implementation of the Various Programs of the Government in Municipal Area of Responsibility
2. Improvement in tax and fees collection and support of the people on the tax payments
3. We are thankful for the current new investments in Del Carmen:
a. New Pension Houses being built and under rehabilitation
b. New Farms rehabilitated
c. Cuerpo Construction
d. 50 hectare Coconut Seedling Bank by the Phil Coconut Authority
e. SIKAT Foundation for a 5-10 year program in Del Carmen
Next Plans:
1. Improvement on Fiscal Management to support counter-parting policies of the National Government programs
2. Simplifying the management of public enterprises
3. Investment Partnership Linkage:
a. Hotel and Convention Center
b. Integrated Public Dry and Wet Market with Public Terminal
c. Industrial Agriculture
Conclusion
These are not all the programs we have implemented as there are more. We had our share of failures but we will rise, learn from our mistakes and be better. To cap it off, we have achieved the following milestones with the strong support of the hardworking LGU:
• Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government for good governance initiatives for 2 consecutive years (2011 and 2012)
• Science Centrum Travelling Museum which was visited by more than 20,000 visitors from Siargao Islands
• Zuellig Family Foundation Health Governance Program grantee for 2 years
• 2nd Most Outstanding Local Government in Caraga Region and Most Outstanding Local Government in Siargao Division by DEPED
• 2nd Most Outstanding Literacy Program in Caraga Region by DEPED
• Sterling Silver Award for Del Carmen National High School with Excellent Rating
• National Awardee for Adopt-A-School Program of DEPED
• Selected Partner of the Republic of Korea for the Waste Water and Sewerage System Study as awarded in Busan, Korea
• New York University Partnership for Community Assessment
The last 12 months of public service has been all about collaboration, innovation, and partnerships. I am thankful to all our collaborators, partners, family, friends and supporters. I am thankful to Our Lady of Mt Carmel for guiding us always. I am Alfredo Matugas Coro II, Municipal Mayor of Del Carmen, Siargao Island.
Padajon Del Carmen, Padajon Siargao, Padajon Surigao.
Marajaw na Adlaw sa ato tanan.
