State of the Province Address

DELIVERED BY GOV. AURORA CERILLES
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

SEPT. 17, 2009

Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Sur, Distinguished Guests, Religious, Civic and Business Leaders; Provincial Government Officials and Employees, Municipal and Barangay Officials, our friends in the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen – Good Evening!

Coming close to the end of my full term of office as Governor of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, I stand before you today to deliver my final State of the Province Address. Having attained commendable heights of progress during my years of incumbency, I am fulfilled and ready to hand over the stewardship of the province, leaving behind a lasting legacy for the people of Zamboanga del Sur, a hallmark of excellence in governance for the succeeding leadership to keep on.

In a dismally downcast state of the Provincial Government, I took the assumption of office in July 2001 bringing with me the Seven-Point Development Agenda with the hope of improving the quality of life of the people and to effect beneficial rewards in infrastructure, education, livelihood, social services, peace and order, environmental protection and conservation, agriculture and growth of our local economy. Now, I could speak with confidence that indeed we have achieved much through our purposive and united efforts.

On the Effective Delivery of Health and Medical Services, this Leadership has achieved remarkable breakthrough with the completion and operationalization of the state-of-the-art 100 bed capacity Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, located at the Provincial Government Center, Dao, this City. This project was funded under the bond flotation scheme in the total project cost of PHP 145,000,000.00. With the growing demand to increase hospital capacity, an amount of Php10,000,000.00 was appropriated by the DOH for the construction of additional private rooms for the hospital and rehabilitation room or physical therapy treatment area. Operating as a tertiary level health facility, health care delivery has greatly improved, ensuring the right access of every Filipino to quality health care services and giving special attention to the marginalized sector of the community. And the completion of the main building phase II of the Aurora General Hospital was made possible via the GMA Funds to the tune of Php 10,000,000.00.

Right from the start, we aimed for good health services that would cater the needs of our constituents, specially the poor. With our intensified program implementation, Malaria and TB cases have been remarkably brought down. The dreaded Influenza A H1N1 that occurred in the two (2) municipalities of the province has been efficiently contained by our Disease Surveillance Team identifying our province as having the lowest number of Influenza A H1N1 cases in the entire Region IX. Maternal deaths have been dramatically brought down to 50% in 2008 with the continuous upgrading of our health facilities and continuous capability building of our health workers. With the stringent immunization of infants and children reaching every Barangay, infant and child mortality has been reduced; and pneumonia and diarrhea cases have been treated with high percentage. This is further backed by our massive campaign for exclusive breastfeeding and the giving of micronutrient supplementation. And with the implementation of the Provincewide Investment Plan for Health (PIPH), a revolutionary breakthrough in health that was completed and approved in 2008 we are taking vital steps in improving health service delivery.

On Health Care Financing, we have worked hard in increasing PhilHealth enrolment of the indigents from 29% in 2005 to 76% in 2009. Provincial and municipal investments for public health and hospital services have been increased and balanced; thus, building a strong and efficient financial management system to further support and advance health program implementation.

We have endeavored to reinforce Health Governance by revitalizing the Municipal Health Boards and the Inter-Local Health System. Regular assessment of levels of performance in health has been set in place and this must continue even after my term. Hence, I ask the Provincial Health Board to formulate a policy for this. I also ask the support of the SP for the full functionalization of the Surveillance Unit of the IPHO, backed by an ordinance with corresponding appropriation.

On Our Poverty Alleviation Program- this administration has undertaken viable initiatives that benefit the people specially the economically marginalized constituents. Agriculture, as the major economic arm of the province, has been strongly advanced with the implementation of locally and nationally funded programs and projects. Integrated crops development program thru the procurement of polybags, planting materials for banana demos, assorted vegetable seeds, seedlings and organically grown vegetables along with the continuous conduct of soil analysis has been effectively carried out. This is further backed by the Integrated Fisheries Development with the production and dispersal of fry and fingerlings covering 87.82 hectares benefiting a total of 8,585 farmers. Red Tide Monitoring has been steadily effected with Dumanquillas Bay being identified positive in Red Tide toxin. The strong Institutional Development arm of the province, with the vibrant and functional Rural Improvement Clubs, 4-H Clubs and Farmers Associations; and with the provision of garbage shredder, cassava grater and presser via the Agri-Infra Development Project, agriculture has widely advanced.

In 2006, we have operationalized the Bio-Organic Fertilizer Production Facility along with the establishment of the Provincial Vermi Composting Center that supports our steadfast campaign for organic farming in the province. Toward greater agricultural innovations, the Agri-Ecotour Garden has been created in 2007 that comprises the organic vegetable production, rubber-based farming system, nursery development, maintenance of vegetable rain shelter, the development and maintenance of canopy walk and zipline and the butterfly park. The Gulayan sa Kabahayan at Paaralan has been carried out to help promote food sufficiency. On the Cassava Livelihood Program, we have planted 16,419.07 hectares in district I and 10,504.14 hectares in district II mobilizing a total of 73,912 cassava planters that has strongly supported the livelihood of a number of farmers.

On nationally funded regular programs, we have made an impact on the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice and Corn Programs in line with the hybridization program of the government that began in 2002. And from 2001 to 2009 we have recorded a total rice production of 1.62 million metric tons of both hybrid and inbred seeds while for corn we have noted a total yield of 692,485.6 metric tons for the period that implies surplus production for both rice and corn. In fact, our Province has been serving the rice needs of other provinces. Providing direction and framework for harmonizing local initiatives is the implementation of the GMA High Value Commercial Crops. For this, about 4,436.69 hectares have been planted with rubber, mango, banana and vegetables with the provision of seedlings to farmers.

Under the Support to Emergency and Livelihood Assistance Program (SELAP) we have completed 7 diversion dams and established the Abalone Hatchery, Lobster Nursery and Crab Fattening initiatives for the High Value Commercial Aquatic Crops at Balong-balong, Pitogo and in the Maligay Bay Municipalities. On the same vein of support, procurement of quality stocks of small ruminants , construction of goat shed, cattle breeding at Bayog, farm input assistance in 5 municipalities, establishment of vegetable gardens in Tigbao, butterfly garden at Dao and squid production in Vicenzo Sagun have been undertaken.

Further strengthening our socio-economic pursuits is the Kennedy Round 2 (KR2) program financed by the Government of Japan and the Department of Agriculture with the establishment of abattoir in 6 municipalities, the setting up of Integrated Farming System for livelihood, the Aquasilvi Culture in Labangan and the Fish Shelter Project at Tabina in an aggregate amount of 16.38 Million Pesos.

Thru the Mindanao Rural Development Project II (MRDP II), we have carried out the Community Fund for Agriculture Development, Investment for Governance Reforms and Natural Resource Management in the municipalities of Bayog, Tigbao, Margosatubig, Kumalarang and V. Sagun with the total package of development of 37.06 Million Pesos.

Implemented in 13 Strategic Agricultural & Fisheries Development Zone of Zamboanga del Sur, the Zamboanga Basilan Agricultural Development Program gave way for the construction/rehabilitation of 13.5 kilometers farm-to-market road and the overflow structure in 30 sites, along with the distribution of 8 Small Farm Reservoirs, 1 Farm Tractor, 5 Floating Tiller, 65 Knapsack Sprayer, 1 Power Sprayer, 12 Multi-purpose Drying Pavement and 3 Moisture Meter. And under the DA-LGU Counterpart Funding Program, 743 kilometers farm-to-market road have been constructed and rehabilitated with an overflow structure in 40 sites.

Backing up our effort for greater economic headway is the establishment of the Provincial Carabao Center with our Artificial Insemination Program on Large Animals that serves as a show-window for the people and the LGUs and for economic enterprise that supports the national government’s thrust of addressing malnutrition thru fresh and processed milk products from carabaos. And soon the milk processing building shall be established. And this is further reinforced with the setting up of the Poultry Multiplier Farm in Dao.

Through the United Nation World Food Program (UN-WFP) – the world’s largest humanitarian agency, we have distributed corn grits for emergency food relief to 7,100 beneficiaries through the Food for Work and Food for Training schemes.

We have set in place the Community Based Monitoring System of the province, a common database management tool for decision-making toward improving local governance in the context of poverty monitoring. The CBMS results have already been presented to the Hon. Domingo F. Panganiban of the National Anti Poverty Commission in August this year.

On our Programs for the Education Sector- This leadership has continually advanced its scholarship program serving a total of 761 scholars and has hired 177 provincial paid teachers at present to address the lack of teachers. Through the SPES Program in partnership with the DOLE, we have accommodated a number of students for Summer Jobs every year.

Through the Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project (SEDIP) jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank, the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund and the DepEd, a total of 68 secondary schools located in the different municipalities of the province have been recipients of various school building packages amounting to 184.62 Million Pesos. On the Third Elementary Education Program (TEEP) funded by the World Bank and the DepEd, a total of 352 new classrooms have been constructed and 828 classrooms throughout the province have been repaired and rehabilitated allocating 56.52 Million Pesos in the process. Indeed, this is a notable leap in the improvement of educational service delivery.

Topping all these is the unparalleled breakthrough in tertiary education in Zamboanga del Sur with the massive opening of extension campuses of JH Cerilles State College in 22 municipalities, along with our rigorous development of the JHCSC Pagadian Campus offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Laws, IT and Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management.

On our efforts towards infrastructure development- The Province of Zamboanga del Sur has undertaken various Infrastructure Developments starting from my first term in 2001 up to the present. This, being one of the priority programs espoused in the 7-Point Agenda in support to our over-all economic and social development thrusts.

On rural infrastructure development, we endeavor to provide better accessibility in the transport of goods and people from the rural areas to the urban and market centers. The Provincial Road Network of the Province has a total of 431 Kms of Provincial roads, than before my term in 2001 with only 1.80 Kms or only about 0.4% of the total Kms of roads are concrete-paved.

Now, this Administration has improved and concreted over 86 Kms of Provincial Roads and about 19.50% of the Total Road Length were subsidized from the local funds and the rest from calamity and other funding sources in the aggregate amount of Php 610,000,000 and shall do more road improvement projects before my term ends in 2010.

Apart from road concreting projects, this Administration has also undertaken improvements of the existing Provincial and Barangay Roads of a total length of 115 kms amounting to Php 15,000,000.00.

The Provincial Government is a recipient of a substantial funding assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s farm-to-market roads program implemented in various areas of the Province in support to the agricultural Development Projects. One of the major projects made possible thru the initiative of the Hon. Cong. Victor J. Yu of the 1st congressional district and the Hon. Cong. Antonio H. Cerilles of the 2nd district, during the visit of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Province in January and March of this year was the release of Php 45,000,000.00 and Php 20,000,000.00 for the upgrading and improvement of the Ramon Magsaysay-Midsalip Road and San Pablo Road, respectively. The Province has implemented a total of 41 Kms of Da-FMR Projects in the total amount of Php 110,000,000.00.

We are also recipient of the Special Local Road Fund (SLRF)- starting in 2004 up to present. This serves as augmentation fund for the maintenance of our existing Provincial Roads.

On bridges and other structures, the Province has implemented Two (2) bridge projects under the President’s Bridge Program for a total length of 95 lineal meters amounting Php 12,000,000.00 and Two (2) overflow structures in the amount of Php 3,500,000.00. In an aggregate, under the President’s Bridge Programs II, III and IV from 2002 to 2008, 42 bridges with a total length of 531.198 lineal meters amounting to 272.259 Million Pesos have been implemented.

To boost the tourism development of the Province, a Provincial Multi-Purpose Covered Court Building was constructed on a progressive scheme in the total amount of Php 40,000,000.00.

On water supply projects, this Administration has implemented various Level II Water System in different areas in the aggregate amount of Php 7,000,000.00.

A Permanent Stage to hold the Social Development and Tourism Activities has been completed at the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Park, Provincial Government Complex.

Steering remarkable levels of development in the province is the implementation of SPECIAL PROGRAMS & PROJECTS. This administration is recipient of the Western Mindanao Community Initiatives Project (WMCIP) carried out in 2003-2007 for the municipalities of Bayog, Lakewood, Lapuyan and V. Sagun that has improved 39.9 kms. of farm-to-market roads, 16 units of water supply projects and 7 units of solar dryer have been completed, 15 units of Multi Purpose Center have been constructed, 1 Communal Irrigation System Project rehabilitated, and 6 various projects consisting of hanging bridge, thresher, foot bridge, spillway and mechanical dryer have been accomplished.

Another package of development has been brought to the province through the Belgian Integrated Agrarian Reform Support Program (BIARSP) with the rehabilitation of 1 unit Communal Irrigation System, improvement of 3.05 kms. farm-to-market road and the construction of 9 elementary classrooms with the total amount of 22.9 Million Pesos.

The Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program II (ARISP II) funded by the JBIC and DAR has completed 19.63 kms of farm-to-market roads, improved 3 communal irrigation systems and 4 units Water System II benefiting 577 households.

Another landmark development projects have come to the Province with the concreting of Tukuran-Dobliston-Kapatagan Road covering 22.27 kms to the tune of 577.9 Million Pesos, and the Aurora-Monte Alegre Road covering 16.72 kms amounting 310.37 Million Pesos under the National Road Improvement Project funded by the Kuwaiti Fund Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the DPWH. In addition, the completion of 11.877 kms Pagadian-Buug Road in the amount of 187.101 Million Pesos and the 97.3 kms Iligan-Aurora Road at 674.756 Million Pesos has further advanced our road network development in the Province.

With this Leadership’s persistent push for development, Pagadian City being the Center of Governance in Zamboanga Peninsula shall soon avail a Principal Class 1 Airport which is second to an International Airport. Last September 14 we have accommodated limited special flights but rest assured that by October we can already open the airport for commercial flights. Currently, the said airport is now on its final phase, with a total cost of 332.077 Million Pesos funded and implemented by the DOTC.

Under the Infrastructure for Rural Enhancement Sector (InfRES) funded by the Asian Development Bank in partnership with the MLGUs, the improvement of 15 kms Navalan-Tabuan and Tukuran farm-to-market road and the construction/upgradization of 7.65 kms Ramon Magsaysay farm-to-market road have been completed.

On energization, the Province of Zamboanga del Sur is at present 99.84% energized and this includes the installation of solar power packages via the Solar Power Technology Support (SPOTS) from the Spanish Government implemented in 4 recipient LGUs amounting 53.546 Million Pesos; and the Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) funded by the USAID and the DOE with the energization of 8 schools and14 barangays serving 420 households.

The Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) of the USAID has implemented various infrastructure projects in the 18 municipalities of the province. And setting up the engine of the information superhighway, GEM has provided computers and installed internet connections in 33 schools for internet literacy and has given Matching Grants in 3 schools for library and science laboratories. The provision of equipment and facilities to various communities such as warehouse, solar dryer, transport boats, rice mills and mobile rice threshers are also among the contributions of GEM.

A total of 220 projects implemented in 7 municipalities covering 186 barangays such as water system, road rehabilitation, solar dryer, spillway, mini wharf and health centers to the tune of 239.37 million have been carried out under the KALAHI-CIDDS Program from 2003 to 2007.

Tourism in our province is now ready for take off! Over the years, this administration has gained momentum in tourism development. With the basic tourism infrastructure like access roads, telecommunications and hotels firmly in place, the province began aggressively promoting its tourism potentials. In 2007, we have successfully hosted the Biyahe Na sa ZamboSur Regional Showcase, drawing thousands of visitors. We have inaugurated the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Complex - the tourist zone and favorite weekend getaway for the people. We have developed the dive sites of Tambunan and Talisay in Tabina – ranked as No.2 and No.12 best Marine Protected Areas in the Philippines. We also have Bagong Silao and Bibilic in Dumalinao; the trekking areas of Mt. Timolan in Tigbao, Mt. Paraya in Dumingag and Mt. Sugarloaf in Midsalip, as well as the cave resorts of Guipos and Sominot. The yearly Megayon Festival has become a tourism attraction with the increase of no less than 25% of tourist arrivals.

On fiscal matters, we have amended, approved and implemented the new Revenue Code of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, making it more relevant to the needs of the times that guarantee the revenue raising power of the province. We have also implemented the Commission on Audit Electronic New Government Accounting System (eNGAS) affording ease for government administrators, finance managers and other accountable officers in the discharge of their functions and fiscal responsibilities.

As to our Programs On Peace and Order – I reiterate my resolute stand against all forms of threat to peace and security. As the Chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council I strongly assert my nonstop crusade for peace and for us to join hands together to win in this battle. Having waged an all-out war against illegal drugs, we will do all we can to rid our province of these notorious elements and free our people from the menace drug addiction that has ruined many lives, aggravating the killings and other forms of criminalities that hampered our peaceful living condition.

With the strong leadership and support of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division Philippine Army headed by MGEN ROMEO D. LUSTESTICA, the Commanding General and the 53rd INFANTRY (MATAPAT) BATTALION, 1ID under the command of LTC ERWIN A. ALEA based at Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, quelling insurgency and terrorism in the province is within our power. We commend the proven bravery of the PNP under Police Superintendent RAMON M. OCHOTORENA for taking the lead in ensuring the safety and security of the people.

Also, worthy to commend is the Muslim Council of Elders, a forum that builds harmonious co-existence among our Muslim brothers. Through the Act for Peace Program, our peace building efforts have been strengthened and the gains of peace and development in the province have been sustained.

On our Community-based Social Services – the provision of early education is a priority with the institution of 857 Day Care Centers and 858 Day Care Workers at present serving 39,803 preschoolers provincewide, along with the establishment of 25 Supervised Neighborhood Play Groups for children who cannot avail the Day Care service due to distance. Day Care Workers have been given additional honoraria of P1,200.00 per year brought to a total of 4.34 Million Pesos from 2001 to 2009. Through our strong linkages with the National Government Agencies and with the funding support of the UNICEF, the rehabilitation and construction of 23 Day Care Centers, 8 Barangay Health Stations and 1 Home-based ECCD to the disparity areas and the Municipalities of Bayog, Guipos, Kumalarang, Lakewood and Midsalip has been completed. On the same connection of support, food commodities have been provided to children in Day Care Centers with 1 kilo of rice per child per day. And from 2006 to 2009, 18,790 preschoolers have been served with a total allocation of P9,297,220.00.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has spearheaded the delivery of various programs and projects. Provision of protective and rehabilitative custody to women and children in crisis situations via the operationalization of the Kaabag Center and the intensification of the UNICEF-CPC VI assisted program for Children in need of Special Protection. The establishment of the Zamboanga del Sur Home for Children is in consonance with the mandate of RA 9344 on the application of restorative justice for children in conflict with the law, providing then temporary shelter and moral, mental and physical development while awaiting court disposition of the case; thus removing the stigma of criminality and the consequences of criminal behaviors.

In an effort to bring peace and harmony, former rebels who have decided to go back to the fold of the law have been provided financial and livelihood assistance under the Social Integration Program of the OPAPP to create better opportunities for them and their families as well as reintegrate them into the mainstream of peaceful and productive life.

On emergency assistance program, various supports have been extended to individuals in crisis situation, including the provision of food and cash assistance to victims of catastrophes. Disaster preparedness and management has been forged and strengthened with the setting up of Municipal and Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils, Provincial Quick Response Team and the conduct of Survival Skills Trainings.

Through the 4Ps Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a poverty reduction strategy of the government, 30,000 extremely poor families in the province have been served, uplifting their living and health conditions as well as the education of their children. The welfare and development of senior citizens, children, women and differently-abled persons has been given due attention under my leadership with the hope of augmenting their participation, productivity and functionality in community affairs. In an aggregate, the emergency assistance from 2006 to 2009 has amounted to P8,850,045.02.

The Gawad-Kalinga Lala was established in 2007 in partnership with the Couples for Christ of which the Provincial Government has been a party with the donation of half a hectare lot to provide homes for the indigent families residing at PADAP Compound, Dao which is now developed into as Eco-Tourism Site. And it is through my effort and inspiration that houses were built despite the lack of funding. For this, 25 buildings were constructed, 17 of which have already been completed and occupied and an on-going construction of 8 buildings.

In our consistent fight against malnutrition, we have converged our efforts along with mixed interventions, focused on capacitating duty bearers and providing trainings to 861 Barangay Nutrition Scholars deployed in the province to effectively deliver the nutrition programs at the grassroots level. In addition, we have organized 32 Breastfeeding Support Groups in the province; and the Provincial Nutrition Committee passed a resolution for the intensive organization of Women’s Health Team perceived to localize the counseling for infant and young child feeding and promote good nutrition via the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon classes. In capsule, this administration has successfully touched the lives of the Zambosurians with the improvement in nutritional status, proven in the consistent reduction of underweight preschool and school children from 20.54% in 2003 down to 11.42% in 2009 and from 23.55% to 20.23% respectively.

Within my term, we have succeeded in bringing down the Population Growth Rate of the province from 2.01% to 1.24% made possible with our intensified implementation of family planning programs that also brought about a reduction in Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage from 28.03% to 23.09%.

Via the Fifth and Sixth Country Programs for Children in 2000-2004 and 2005-2009 respectively, the Child Friendly Movement was adopted that set on course the implementation of health and nutrition, early childhood care and development, basis education for all, children in need of special protection, social policy and institutional development and communication throughout the province. 225,561 women and 411,425 children below 18 years old have been assisted and benefited. In addition, the Four Gifts for Children such as the Provincial Development and Investment Plan for Children, the Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code of Zamboanga del Sur, and the conduct of the Local State of the Children’s Report were crafted as legacy to the children of Zamboanga del Sur. An aggregate amount of 50 million pesos for CPC-V and 54 million for CPC-VI has been allocated for the purpose, jointly funded by the UNICEF, the Provincial and Municipal LGUs.

And lastly, on our Holistic Environmental Programs – the province has availed the ECOGOV 1 in 2001-2003 and ECOGOV 2 from 2004-2009. With this, the MOA for the revitalization of IBRA 9 and the Memorandum of Understanding for the Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) have been signed that has sustained us in carrying out our CRM efforts and other environmental programs and in the fight against sea piracy and other illegal activities in the Illana Bay; the Coastal Resource Management plans for Tukuran, Dinas and Tabina were formulated and adopted; the Coastal Terminal Points in the city and municipal boundaries of Tukuran and Sultan Naga Dimaporo and Pagadian City-Dumalinao have been finalized; and it gave us honor and pride to have the presence of the US Ambassador during the first CRM Summit in the province that helped mainstream environmental governance and speed up the restoration of our water resources.

With dignity and sense of achievement, I shall soon relinquish the leadership of the province. The heritage of strong and effective governance that made our dreams come true is my gift to the people of Zamboanga del Sur. I don’t deserve to claim all the glory but to sincerely thank and appreciate the support and cooperation you have given me in my full term leadership of the province. We have reached this far because we are united! This is the heart of the annual Megayon Festival that we celebrate. That regardless of our cultural, social or political diversities, we choose peace and unity; for we are ONE PEOPLE…ONE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR!

Mabuhay!