In line with the Department’s thrust for transparency and participatory governance, DILG Bulacan, led by OIC-Provincial Director Darwin D. David and MLGOO Diana Jean Garcia launched the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) in Municipality of Sta. Maria last February 24, 2016.
With the theme, “ Simbahan at Barangay, Nakikiisa sa Pamahalaan para sa Tuwid na Daan”, the activity started with PD David’s message in which he encouraged everyone to be actively involved to not only seek UBAS, but to also work as one, citing another acronym which is Bayanihan ng Barangay at Simbahan (BAYABAS).
Likewise, LGOO VI Victoria C. Gabe gave a comprehensive presentation about UBAS and highlighted the importance of the program, mentioning that thru UBAS, the churches and the citizens will have the opportunity to participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the projects being implemented in their respective communities. Further, LGOO V Diana Jean Garcia also took the chance to orient the participants about the Barangay Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB).
The activity was participated by different representatives of faith based groups and barangay officials and employees in the municipality.
PANDI, BULACAN, January 11, 2016 – Committing to DILG’s vision of self-reliant local government units (LGUs), Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mel Senen Sarmiento said that allocation for development projects should be utilized for sourcing business of LGUs.
Speaking on the Micro-Medium Rise Building (MMRB) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing and Groundbreaking Ceremony in Pandi, SILG Sarmiento shared how burgeoning funds for LGUs help make new path for good governance.
“[Local] economy is the most important issue in our country today. There are a lot of un-funded mandates being expected from local governments, so their capacity to generate local source of income is essential and should be strengthened,” SILG Sarmiento said.
SILG described how projects such as MMRB in Pandi exemplify the role of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in furthering the initiatives of local functionaries to innovate ways of raising money for quality life of its constituents.
The 600-square meter MMRB soon to rise in Barangay Mapulang Lupa, Pandi, Bulacan will have 45 units for homeless residents, with additional livelihood training center.
The Municipality has set a partnership between TESDA and DOLE for provision of livelihood trainings. Necessary facilities will also be provided for participating Pandieños.
According to Pandi Mayor Enrico Roque, “bahagi lang ito ng pangarap natin noon. Matapos ang masusing pag-aaral sa proyekto, napagkalooban tayo ng biyaya sa pagpasok ng taong 2016. (…) Hindi lamang bahay kundi tahanan ang ipinagkakaloob natin dito.”
One of the beneficiaries of the MMRB unit is Agustito Menoro, President of Pinagsamang Mamamayang Maralita sa Tabing IIog Association, who shared how hard it is to live near the riverside.
“Hindi ka makatulog kapag may sakuna, hirap na sa tubig, hirap pa sa pagkain,” Menoro said.
In his closing remarks, Mayor Roque thanked the DILG in its support and assistance to the approval of MMRB – from several revisions of the project proposal and now on its groundbreaking ceremony.
“We are grateful that DILG has helped us achieve this money-raising project for the betterment of Pandieños and our LGU as a whole,” Mayor Roque said.
In line with the Department’s thrust for transparency, accountability and participatory governance, City of Malolos CLGOO Anselmo A. Ortiz Jr. and City of San Jose del Monte OIC-CLGOO Mae Catherine N. Quintana spearheaded the conduct of the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) Utilization Conference (UC) last August 28, 2015 and September 4, 2015 respectively. CSIS, being implemented by the Department, aims to assess the service delivery performance of Local Government Units (LGUs) based on the perception of the people. The program also seeks to help LGUs on the formulation of plan and actions that can improve local public services.
During the Utilization Conference, Bulacan State University (BulSU), as the Local Research Institute (LRI) tapped by the DILG to conduct the data gathering in the two cities, presented the results of the survey to the officials and functionaries of the LGUs. These results were derived from the awareness, availment, satisfaction and perceived importance of the respondents towards eight (8) service areas namely Health, Education, Social Welfare, Governance and Response, Public Works and Infrastructure, Environmental Management, Agriculture and Tourism. It was then followed by an open forum wherein the participants, the team from BulSU and DILG had a discussion on how the whole survey process was conducted and how the ratings were met.
Mayor Christian Natividad and Vice Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian of Malolos said that the city, with the help of each department heads will strive more not only to improve the services but also to make Maloleñes aware of the services provided by the city. Likewise, San Jose del Monte City Administrator Edward Ignacio during the city’s UC said that the CSIS is a good mechanism for them to know the people’s feedback on the services offered by the City Government.
Both conferences ended with the signing of Pledge of Commitment followed by the formulation of the Citizen’s Priority Action Plan (CPAP).
PARTICIPATION OF THE YOUTH IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED THRU THE LAUNCHING OF BULACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEERS NETWORK, INC.
In view of the indispensable participation of the youth in nation-building and in order to relive the spirit of volunteerism among the youth particularly in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) thru the Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment and Development Office (PYSEDO) launched the Bulacan Youth Volunteers Network, Inc.(BVYN), an official organization of the youth volunteers in Bulacan. This is in line with the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2015-01 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Youth Commission (NYC) re: “Institutionalizing Participation of Youth in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Related Activities” wherein the engagement of the youth sector as member of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, as one group representing the civil society organizations was specified.
The DILG thru OIC Provincial Director Darwin D. David joined the launching together with the NYC represented by Asec. Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III on October 14, 2015 at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos, Bulacan. The youth volunteers who participated in the 3-day first- aid training facilitated by the PDRRMO held on October 7-9, 2015 were also present in the said event along with the PDRRMC, PSWDO, DepEd, PNP, and Sagip Kalikasan Dulot ay Pangkabuhayan, and members of the media.
During the event, the PGB thru Provincial Administrator Eugenio Payongayong turned over the Executive Order enjoining the inclusion of youth as a member of the PDRRMC to the DILG and NYC followed by the unveiling of the official logo of the BVYN. Likewise, the BVYN Officers were introduced and made a pledge of commitment led by Asec. Dingdong Dantes. Thereafter, the youth volunteers turned over the petition sheets and action plan to the NYC in support to the #nowph campaign that aims to raise awareness on the effects of climate change to vulnerable communities.
DILG OIC PD David reminded the youth on their important role in nation building as stipulated in the 1987 constitution and inspired them to be good leaders who have the ability to recognize the problem and address solution before it becomes an emergency. On the other hand, NYC Commissioner Dantes, acknowledged the efforts made by the Bulacan to implement such activity since the province is the second to organize the inclusion of youth in the PDRRMC thru an Executive Order and that it will be replicated nationwide using the Province of Bulacan as a model. He highlighted the demand of the youth nationwide to be involved in the solution and now is the time for the youth to take responsibility and be part of the solution.
The government strongly believes in the ability of the youth to make significant contribution thru their active engagement and participation in the different programs of the national and provincial government in areas of disaster risk reduction and management, environment, employment and entrepreneurship, peace, sports, history, arts, culture and tourism, health and nutrition, education and values formation.
Now, the President of the BVYN, Jaime Jose, Jr., shall represent the youth sector in the Bulacan PDRRM Council. The voice of the youth will be heard more and their efforts will be coordinated with of the government especially in DRRM-related activities.
TURN-OVER OF RESCUE VEHICLE (BUB PROJECT) TO MUNICIPALITY OF BALAGTAS, BULACAN
Balagtas, Bulacan- Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Florida M. Dijan along with OIC Provincial Director Darwin David and LGOO VI Lydia Baltazar (Cluster Team Leader) graced the Flag-Raising Ceremony of the Municipality of Balagtas on August 24, 2015, Monday. This is to extend the congratulatory message of the Department to the local government unit for passing the 2014 Seal of the Good Local Governance and also to lead the turn-over of Rescue Vehicle (a project for Disaster Preparedness under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB)) to the Balagtas Rescue. RD Dijan, on her message, commended the exemplary performance of the LGU and reminded them that being prepared in any disaster is everybody’s business and not solely of the government. Likewise, she reminded the LGU that the use of available disaster operation equipment is more meaningful if being utilized for disaster preparedness.
