By Maria Teresa B. Benas
BANGUED, Abra, May 29 (PIA) — Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin committed to provide funds for the proposed priority projects of the municipal local government units (LGUs) during the organizational meeting of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) last week.
Most of the priority projects are road concreting, irrigation systems, and basic health and educational facilities.
Mayor Nenita M. Cardenas, however, requested the Governor to help in the road opening project in Brgy. Ud-udiao, located in upper Sallapadan to help sustain the local industries there such as the production of honey and soft brooms. This is on top of their request for the rehabilitation of their existing irrigation projects.
While the Governor expressed his appreciation to the 13 LGUs represented during the PDC meeting, he explained the need to give priority to the five poorest municipalities in the province as presented by the PPDO. These are the municipalities of Boliney, Tineg, San Isidro, Langiden, and Bucloc.
He also emphasized the counterpart system in the funding assistance to be given to the LGUs since the provincial government will be utilizing its 20 percent Economic Development Funds and the province’s share from the Tobacco Excise Tax as provided for by Republic Act 7171.
Meanwhile, Bersamin had issued Executive Order No. 5, Series of 2012 dated April 2, 2012 which reorganized the Provincial Development Council (PDC).
The PDC chaired by the Governor himself, is composed of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) as the council secretary and the following as members: Congresswoman Ma. Jocelyn V. Bernos; the 27 municipal mayors; and five representatives from the civil society organizations and non-government organizations namely, the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (CCAGG); the Abra Federation of Councils of Elders and Leaders; the Abra River Irrigation Association (ARIA); the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI); and the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) – Bangued Campus Student Government (ABC-SG).
The PDC is tasked to perform the following functions: Formulate long-term, medium-term and annual socio-economic development plans and policies; formulate the medium term and annual public investment programs; appraise and prioritize socio-economic development programs and policies; formulate local investment incentives to promote the inflow and direction of private investment capital; coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of development programs and projects; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law or competent authority. (JDP/MTBB-PIA CAR, Abra)
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