Governor Pingoy’s First Sopa

Gov. Arthur “Dodo” Pingoy, Jr., M.D., delivered his first State of the Province Address (SOPA I) 04 July 2011, South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato.  More than 5,000 persons were present.

His address was based on his vision outlined during his 2010 inaugural speech.

“A provincial government…”

-          close to the people…

-          without partisan politics.

-          in critical, committed, and collaborative partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, for the delivery of                 basic services to the grassroots level…

-          with political will power and vision…

-          in partnership with the private sector…

-          that prioritizes the health of its people…

-          committed to educating its people…

-          and committed to the protection of the environment.

Formulated the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA).  This ELA serves as a roadmap and blueprint towards a better quality of life for all South Cotabateños.

Stood by his foremost advocacies: good governance, health, education and environment.  Also agriculture, peace and order, infrastructure and eco-tourism.

1) Good Governance.  Salient accomplishment:

• Consultation meetings with all department heads and their key personnel to find out present situation, problems encountered and remedial measures taken.
• Judicious use of equipments, facilities, etc.
• Salary increases for job order nurses and utility personnel.
• Loans are paid in full.  Realized savings: P2.4M
• Full disclosure of use of funds.
• Hotline 24/7 to respond to peoples’ needs.

2)    Health.  Salient accomplishments:

• 37,000 families with Philhealth, with DOH.
• Accessed funds for hospitalization of indigents.
• Health care program for 100,000 elementary school pupils.
• Partnership with Mahintana and Dole for medicines.
• Health facilities enhancement – P61.7M from DOH.

3)    Accomplishments in Education

• P1M worth of scholarship from TESDA.
• Appropriated P8M to purchase a 5-hectare lot for the establishment of the Philippine Science High School in Koronadal courtesy of DOST.
• Appropriated P1.5M for operations of UP Manila School of Health Science Extension campus and P500,000 for toilet and bath facilities.
• Sponsored 335 scholars in different tertiary schools.
• Educational assistance to 9,900 high school students – 50 students per barangays.
• P8.84M set aside for construction of school buildings.

4)   Environment

1. Sustained the ban on open pit mining.  Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) was signed and approved March 24, 2011.
2. First cluster sanitary landfill in the country, technically assisted by USAID was inaugurated June 23, 2011.  P6M provided for Surallah cluster for 6 municipalities in Upper Valley Area.
3. 2^nd South Cotabato recyclable waste fair, Nov. 26, 2010.  Total junks collected: 5.8 tons.
4. Sustained AllahValley Landscape and Development Alliance (AVLADA).  A Galing Pook Awardee.
5. Greening of AllahValley.  200 has to be reforested.  Planting materials available.
6. Apprehended 13,000 board feet of illegally cut lumber with DENR-PASU and PNP and disrupted illegal transport of copper ores in Tampakan.
7. Stoppage orders to all illegal mining operators; 80 illegal quarry operators were apprehended.  P5.4M revenues generated. 9% higher than previous year.
8. E.O No. 16, series of 2011 mandating all municipalities and city to deputize earth savers as partners in protecting environment and conserving natural resources.

5)    Sports

1. Installed lights in sports complex.
2. Hosted several sports events.

6)    Agriculture

1. Subsidized 50% of cost of certified palay seeds.
2. P3M for rehabilitation of 2 farm to market roads.
3. Partnered with DA-Mindanao Rural Development Program and Lake Sebu Agri Development Cooperative to produce rubber and coffee.

7)    Tourism

1. Updated provincial government website and made it interactive.
2. Bought a tourist bus.
3. Additional facilities at the 7 Falls zipline, P8M concrete road to zipline – Procured 70 new harnesses.  Project manager hired.

8)   Peace and Order

1. P7M worth of equipment to PNP and 27^th IB.
2. Allocated P1.4M as support to PNP, AFP, BFP, etc.
3. P1M reward to stop illegal mining and logging.
4. Convened for the first time, 5 pillars of Criminal Justice System.
5. Two vehicles for RTC judges, increased honorarium, 1 vehicle and increased honorarium to prosecutors.
6. Allocated P10M for barangays multipurpose vehicles.

9)    Infrastructure

1. 76 continuing projects: roads, bridges, water systems, school buildings, health centers, mini-gyms, etc – Total Cost: P160M.
2. Allocated P40M for payment of loans.
3. P10M counterpart to foreign assisted projects.
4. P68M for completion ofFinanceBuilding
5. P20M for concreting of NHWY – Brgy. Cannery Road and upgrading of Banga-Norala road.
6. Created barangays fleet of heavy equipments.

10)    Economic Development

1. P325M invested.  2,400 employees.
2. Launched credit Surety Fund (CSF) with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

WAY FORWARD

Governor Pingoy’s vision and plans for the future:

Ultimate goal is a better quality of life of the South Cotabateños through:

-          prompt delivery of quality social and health services.

-          universal access to education and

-          availability of economic opportunities under an

-          environment of peace and security and

-          anchored on good governance which is everybody’s business.

Modules On Core Values Launched

Modules on Core Values of the City of Koronadal was launched on May 30, 2011 at 9:00 am at the Lobby of the New City Hall, General Santos Drive, Zone III, Koronadal City.

The module is a “teaching tool in the advocacy of the 8 Core Values”.  It is “one strategy” to develop people and land writes Mayor Peter B. Miguel, MD to Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez (May 13, 2011).

The 8 Core Values are: (1) love of God; (2) love of country; (3) respectfulness; (4) discipline; (5) integrity; (6) commitment; (7) stewardship; (8) competitiveness.

Module Writers and Technical Working Group came from the government and private sector.

Bishop Gutierrez’ Message

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez delivered a message during the launching program of the Modules.

Honorable City Mayor, Dr. Peter P. Miguel, MD and dear friends.

Integrated character building is an essential strategy in integral human development and promoting the integrity of God’s creation.

This integrated character building is based on eight (8) Core Values which were launched last year.

Today, 30 May 2011, we are launching the Facilitators’ Manual on Values Formation.  This Manual is designed to assist facilitators achieve maximum effect at least cost to human and material resources.

Expected output is, ultimately, integrally developed citizens who are “Maka-Diyos”, “Maka-bayan”, “Maka-buhay” (“Maka-tao”), “Makatarungan”, “Maka-Kalikasan”, law-abiding, committed to the common good and endowed with competitive spirit and skills to achieve excellence in products and services.

1)      “Maka-Diyos”.  Faith in God.  Without God’s help human work is fruitless.  Cut from Jesus Christ, the Vine, branches wither, do not bear fruit.  Against secularism – only this world; no life hereafter.  Against materialism – only material things exist, are real; the immaterial, spiritual does not exist, only pigment of imagination.

2)      “Maka-bayan”.  Love of country.  To suffer, even to die for the Fatherland (“patria”) or Motherland (land of our birth).  Sovereignty.  Freedom from foreign domination/influence.

3)      (3) “Maka-buhay”/”Maka-tao”.  Respect for life, God’s gift.  Respect for human dignity – created after God’s image and likeness.  Against condom which prevents new life.  Against IUDs and others which destroy life.

4)      “Makatarungan”.  Just, morally upright.  A person of integrity.  Against corruption and all forms of injustices.

5)      “Maka-kalikasan”.  God created man to care for the earth.  God owns the universe.  Humans are stewards who act according to the owner’s (God’s) will.  Against commercial logging and destructive mining.

6)      Law-abiding.  A disciplined citizen obeys the nation’s laws and the City’s ordinances.  Pay taxes, clean air, clean water.

7)      Commitment to the common good.  Authentic development, according to Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio” is integral that is: “all of man (body and soul) and all men, not few.  Against monopoly, political dynasty, cultural elitism.

8)      Educational institutions and training programs should equip graduates with appropriate knowledge, values and skills to be competitive.

If people in the City ofKoronadalwould internalize these 8 Core Values, I foresee a civilization of love and life where people live in harmony with God, with one another and with Mother nature.

I foresee, as a consequence, a prosperous and peaceful City ofK oronadal– a peace based on “truth, justice, love and freedom” (Blessed John XXIII, “Peace on Earth”).

Congratulations to former City Mayor Fernando Q. Miguel, the consultant – Dr. Noemi B. Silva, the Technical Working Group, Module Writers and other responsible persons.

I assure you of my prayers and full cooperation to make this value formation program successful.