The State of the Province Address of Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., M.D.

The State of the Province Address 2011

(Delivered by Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr.,M.D. in the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center, July 4, 2011 Monday)

I. INTRODUCTION

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE WARM WELCOME!

MR. PRESIDING OFFICER, THE HON. VICE GOVERNOR ELMO BAÑEZ TOLOSA; THE HON. MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF SOUTH COTABATO, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO GREET OUR SPECIAL GUESTS THIS MORNING:

* CONGRESSWOMAN DAISY AVANCE FUENTES, CONGRESSMAN PEDRO ACHARON, JR.

* CITY / MUNICIPAL MAYORS, VICE MAYORS, COUNCILORS, BRGY CAPTAINS  AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS

* REGIONAL DIRECTORS AND HEADS OF NATIONAL AGENCIES

* MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY

* HIS GRACE, THE BISHOP DINUALDO GUTTIEREZ OF THE DIOCESE OF MARBEL AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY

* OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS

*  FRIENDS FROM THE ACADEME

*  REPRESENTATIVES FROM NGO’s, PO’s, COOPERATIVES, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

* REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR

* OUR ARMED FORCES AND PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

* OUR IP AND MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS

* FRIENDS FROM THE MEDIA

* PEOPLE OF SOUTH COTABATO

GOOD MORNING!

THEME: “ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH GO’S, NGO’S AND PO’S: THE KEY FOR ENHANCING SERVICE – A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE TO SOUTH COTABATENOS”

LET ME EMBARK MY ADDRESS WITH THE PASSAGE FROM THE FAMOUS FRENCH PHILOSOPHER VICTOR COUSIN, “YOU CAN ONLY GOVERN MEN BY SERVING THEM."

        

TRULY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SERVICE IS THE ESSENCE OF GOVERNANCE.

TODAY MARKS OUR FIRST YEAR OF INCUMBENCY, TOGETHER WITH THE CURRENT OFFICIALS OF THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION. PERMIT ME THEN TO MAKE A REPORT OF OUR MODEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

PRIOR TO NARRATING OUR SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS, LET ME SHARE A FEW OF MY PERSONAL INSIGHTS ON MY INITIAL YEAR AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

THREE WEEKS AGO, WE CELEBRATED THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR NATIONAL HERO DR. JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL, WHO SAID, “TO FORETELL THE DESTINY OF THE NATION, IT IS NECESSARY TO OPEN THE BOOK THAT TELLS HER PAST”. I BELIEVE OUR NATIONAL HERO DOES NOT ONLY REFER TO A NATION, HIS WORDS ARE AS RELEVANT TO OUR PROVINCE.

ALLOW ME THEN TO OPEN JUST A PAGE IN THE BOOK OF SOUTH COTABATO. I AM THE 5TH GOVERNOR OF THIS PROVINCE, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1967, COMING AFTER THE NOTABLES: NAMELY, OUR FIRST ELECTED GOVERNOR, THE LATE DR. SERGIO MORALES, IN WHOSE TERM HE BORE THE PAIN OF CHILDBIRTH OF THE PROVINCE, AND TRANSFORMED IT INTO A PROGRESSING ONE; GOV. ISMAEL SUENO, WHO LED US FROM THE EDSA REVOLUTION UNDER A NEW CONSTITUTION, GOVERNOR HILARIO DE PEDRO III, IN WHOSE TERM, SOUTH COTABATO WAS SPLIT INTO TWO PROVINCES WITH THE CREATION OF THE SARANGANI PROVINCE AND OF COURSE, THE SOUTH COTABATO SPORTS COMPLEX AND THIS GYMNASIUM WE ARE NOW USING WAS BUILT; AND GOVERNOR DAISY FUENTES WHO LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVINCE AS A PREMIERE ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAKE SEBU ZIPLINE.

THESE PERSONAGES HAVE DONE A LOT FOR THE PROVINCE. I STAND BEFORE YOU WITH GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE, AND PRIVILEGE TO BE AMONG THESE NOTABLES… THE CHOSEN LEADER OF SOUTH COTABATO. I AM FOREVER THANKFUL TO THE ALMIGHTY, AND TO OUR PEOPLE FOR GIVING ME THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY AND SPECIAL MANDATE TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOU, TO BE ONE OF THE FEW, ENTRUSTED TO CHART THE DESTINY OF THIS PROVINCE.

BECAUSE OF THIS, I AM DETERMINED NOT TO WASTE THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE, FOCUSING ON THE VISION AND MISSION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF OUR PEOPLE.

I AM NOW THE ADMINISTRATOR OF ROUGHLY 1.2 M SOUTH COTABATENOS AS ONE OF THE 80 PROVINCES OF OUR COUNTRY COMPRISING A POPULATION OF 95M FILIPINOS.

THOUGH MY ENTRY INTO POLITICS WAS MORE OF AN ACCIDENT RATHER THAN BY DESIGN, THIS VOCATION HAS NOW BEEN CARVED INTO MY PERSON. I HAVE NEVER DOUBTED THAT SERVICE IS ALWAYS A SUBLIME CALLING.

NOW, AFTER A YEAR IN OFFICE, I CAN SINCERELY TELL YOU, BEING A GOVERNOR IS A VERY DEMANDING JOB. THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME WILL TELL YOU JUST THE SAME. THIS DEMANDS WHOLEHEARTED ATTENTION, HARD WORK AND SACRIFICES.

IT CAN ALSO BE STRESSFUL AT TIMES. EVEN WITH ALL THESE DIFFICULTIES THAT COME WITH THE OFFICE, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ECLIPSED BY THE JOY OF BEING AN INSTRUMENT IN THE FULFILLMENT FOR THE VISION OF OUR PROVINCE.

AS MARTIN LUTHER KING SAID,” THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE STANDS AT TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY”. THOUGH AS DIFFICULT AS THIS IS, I ASSURE YOU, AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I AM VERY PASSIONATE TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AND I RELISH IT.

HENCEFORTH, AFTER A YEAR OF INSPIRING AND STRESSFUL WORK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WITH YOUR PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE, ALLOW ME TO TAKE YOU TO WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND JOURNEY TO A VISION TOWARDS A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH COTABATO.

II. VISION / ELA

IN MY INAUGURAL SPEECH, I OUTLINED MY VISION FOR OUR PROVINCE:

A provincial government close to the people…

A provincial government transparent in all its dealings…

A provincial government without partisan politics…

A provincial government in critical, committed

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

A provincial government with political willpower and vision…

A government in partnership with the private sectoR

A provincial government that prioritizes the health of its people…

A provincial government committed to educating its people and…

A provincial government committed to the protection of the environment…

IN COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION WITH OUR SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN, WE WERE ABLE TO FORMULATE OUR ELA ( EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE AGENDA) WHICH NOW SERVES AS THE ROADMAP AND BLUEPRINT FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION/ TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO SYSTEMATICALLY EFFECT PROGRAM/S AND PROJECTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR VISION FOR SOUTH COTABATO AND TO MAKE THIS ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIVE AND RELEVANT TO THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE.

I HAVE ALWAYS STOOD BY MY IMPORTANT ADVOCACIES -- GOOD GOVERNANCE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND ENVIRONMENT. NOT TOO FAR BEHIND ARE: AGRICULTURE, PEACE AND ORDER, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TOURISM GEARED TOWARDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Of course we would like to give credit where credit is due and with that I want to begin my report by recognizing the ground works laid down by my predecessor, Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes and to ensure continuity, the programs we found relevant were improved by expanding THEIR coverage and increasing the budget. others were innovated to be more responsive to the clamor and the needs of the people of South Cotabato.

I  WILL BEGIN WITH GOVERNANCE…

AFTER ASSUMING OFFICE AS THE GOVERNOR OF THIS PROVINCE THERE WERE UNCERTAINTIES AS TO THE KIND OF GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP THAT I HAVE TO PUT FORWARD WITH THE PUBLIC. AS PART OF THE POLICY OF OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY, THE FIRST TASK OF THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION WAS TO CONDUCT CONSULTATION MEETINGS WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TOGETHER WITH THEIR KEY PERSONNEL IN ORDER FOR ME TO FAMILIARIZE WITH THE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE VARIOUS OFFICES, THEIR RESPECTIVE JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF EACH DEPARTMENT.

THIS PROVED TO BE HELPFUL SINCE I WAS ABLE TO LEARN THE DETAILS AND THE NITTY-GRITTY OF EACH DEPARTMENT’S OPERATIONS, WHICH BECAME MY CUE IN PUTTING FORWARD MEASURES IN IMPROVING OUTPUT AND EFFICIENCY.

DURING MY FIRST FEW DAYS IN OFFICE, I ISSUED NEW GUIDELINES ON PUNCTUALITY,  THE USE OF PROVINCIAL EQUIPMENTS AND FACILITIES, AND IN THE UTILIZATION OF OPERATING BUDGET OF ALL OFFICES, CARE FOR PROPERTIES AND AUSTERITY MEASURES TO SAVE ON RESOURCES .

WE ALSO REVIEWED THE SALARY SCALES OF OUR JOB ORDER PERSONNEL AND CAME UP WITH A RATIONALIZATION SCHEME WHEREIN THOSE EMPLOYEES RENDERING TECHNICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES SHOULD BE PAID MORE THAN OTHER WORKERS.

AS A RESULT, OUR JOB ORDER NURSES NOW RECEIVE PHP400.00 PER DAY AS COMPARED TO PHP260.00 THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVING. A UTILITY WORKER NOW RECEIVES PHP250.00/DAY INSTEAD OF THE PHP200.00 /DAY THAT THEY USED TO RECEIVE WHICH WAS LOWER THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE.

WE DID BASIC HOUSEKEEPING BY CLEANING AND GROOMING THE CAPITOL BUILDINGS AND PREMISES INCLUDING PUTTING ORDER IN THE PARKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE INGRESS AND EGRESS OF VEHICLES.

WE ASSESSED THE MANNER BY WHICH WE AMORTIZE OUR LOANS.  WE DECIDED TO PAY THEM IN FULL AT THE START OF THE YEAR RATHER THAN MAKING MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS AS WE REALIZED THAT BY DOING SO WE STAND TO SAVE PHP2.4 MILLION PESOS IN INTEREST PAYMENTS ALONE.

WE ALSO NEGOTIATED WITH BANKS ON THE INTEREST RATES OF OUR DEPOSITS AND THUS, WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE BETTER INTEREST RATES AND SERVICES FROM THEM.  WE HAVE EARNED A TOTAL PHP506,290.87 AS INCREMENTAL INTEREST REVENUES FROM VETERANS BANK AND DBP BECAUSE OF THESE  INITIATIVES.

IN CONSONANCE WITH PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO.2, SERIES OF 2010 OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTI-SMOKING ORDINANCE, I ISSUED MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO.2 DATED SEPTEMBER 7, 2010, PROHIBITING SMOKING WITHIN THE PREMISES OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL.

WE TRANSFERRED THE PROCESSING OF THE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATION(AICS) FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE TO THE PSWDO SO THAT OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO COMPLETE SOCIAL SERVICES IN A SINGLE OFFICE.  THE FUND ALLOCATION FOR THE AICS WAS EQUITABLY DIVIDED AMONG THE 10 COMPONENT MUNICIPALITIES AND KORONADAL CITY TO REACH-OUT TO GREATER NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

A NO “NOON BREAK POLICY” WAS ADOPTED IN KEY PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO PROVIDE OUR PEOPLE WITH SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE THEIR TRANSACTIONS WITHIN THE DAY WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTION.

IN OUR COMMITMENT TO BE TRANSPARENT IN THE DISBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS, WE COMPLIED WITH THE FULL DISCLOSURE PROTOCOLS PURSUANT TO DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2010-83 REQUIRING THE PUBLICATION AND/OR POSTING OF DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE USE OF AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS AND STATUS OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.

WE ESTABLISHED HOTLINE NUMBERS THAT CAN BE ACCESSED BY CONCERNED CITIZENS 24 HOURS A DAY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO REPORT CRIMES, EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, USE AND MOVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND ABUSES OR MISDEMEANORS OF OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE SANGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE REVISED REVENUE CODE OF 2011 WHICH I SIGNED LAST MAY 30, 2011. ITS LAST REVISION WAS IN 2006, AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVISED IN 2009  AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE MANDATES THAT THE REVISION SHOULD BE EVERY THREE YEARS.

LET US MOVE ON TO HEALTH...

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DOH, WE ENROLLED A TOTAL OF 37,000 FAMILIES WITH PHILHEALTH. THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT USED THE CHLSS OR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH LIVING STANDARD SURVEY (15,000 FAMILIES) IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF RECIPIENTS WHEREAS DOH USED THE NHTS OR NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD TARGET SYSTEM (22,000 FAMILIES)  IN IDENTIFYING POOR AND DESERVING BENEFICIARIES.

WE ACCESSED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OUR INDIGENT HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM FROM VARIOUS GROUPS AND DONORS, THE YACAP PARTY LIST THRU HON. CAROL LOPEZ, KABATAAN PARTY LIST THRU HON. RAYMUND PALATINO, AKBAYAN PARTY LIST, BAYAN PARTY LIST, SENATOR CHIZ ESCUDERO, SENATOR FRANKLIN DRILLON, SEN. ZUBIRI, SEN. ANTONIO TRILLANES, REP. PEDRO ACHARON,  MAYOR PETER MIGUEL,  REP. DAISY FUENTES THRU LMP PRESIDENT ISIDRO LUMAYAG.

WE, SUSTAINED OUR PARTNERSHIP ENDEAVOR WITH THE MAHINTANA FOUNDATION INC. AND DOLE PHILIPPINES FOR AFFORDABLE MEDICINES (HEALTH PLUS) AT THE SOUTH COTABATO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL.

WE ALSO PROMOTED ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DEPED AND SMI BY PROVIDING SUPPLIES TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUPILS AND PRESCHOOLERS TO PROMOTE THEIR PERSONAL HYGIENE.

WE HAVE ALLOCATED  PHP1.5 MILLION FROM THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND (SEF)  AND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SMI, WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HEALTH CARE KITS FROM 60,000 TO 100,000 TO BENEFIT MORE STUDENTS.

TO ADDRESS THE PERENNIAL PROBLEM OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES, WE ADOPTED THE PRACTICE OF BULK PROCUREMENT AND ONE TIME DELIVERY OF SUCH SUPPLIES TO THE HOSPITALS.

WE ALSO ALLOWED HOSPITALS TO RETAIN 25% OF THEIR COLLECTION FROM HOSPITAL FEES FOR THEIR REVOLVING FUND TO ENABLE THEM TO PURCHASE MEDICINES AND SUPPLIES TO AUGMENT THEIR EXISTING STOCKS.

SO WE PROVIDED AN HONORARIUM OF PHP1,000.00 EACH FOR OUR 175 VOLUNTEER NURSES.

WE ALSO INCREASED THE HONORARIA OF BHW’s AND BNS FROM PHP150.00  TO PHP300.00 MONTHLY AND PHP350.00 TO PHP500.00 MONTHLY,  RESPECTIVELY.

WE ALSO ENROLLED OUR BHW’s  IN PHILHEALTH.

WE HAD PERFORMED 2,900 TULI OPERATIONS AND 2,744 DENTAL EXTRACTIONS, AND HAVE PROVIDED FREE EYEGLASSES TO 2,046 EYE PATIENTS DURING THE MEDICAL MISSIONS DONE THIS SUMMER.  WE WILL AGAIN HOLD MEDICAL MISSIONS IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAHARLIKA FOUNDATION (HARELIP, THYROID, CATARACT OPERATION, AND MINOR OPERATIONS). COME OCTOBER, WE WILL HAVE THE OPERATION SMILE.

WE PROMOTED BLOOD DONATION AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PNRC, WE WERE ABLE TO COLLECT 154 UNITS OF BLOOD IN A SINGLE BLOOD-LETTING ACTIVITY LAST DECEMBER 30, 2010.

WE WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH THE USAID AS OUR PROVINCE IS A RECIPIENT OF ITS HEALTH GOV PROGRAM IN PROJECT HEALTHPRO. THE TECHNICAL PACKAGE INCLUDES BCC PLANNING, INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, AND COUNSELING (IPC/C), COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION, SUPPORT TO HEALTH EVENTS, MASS MEDIA AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION. THE PROJECT IS NOW IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LAKE SEBU, T’BOLI, TANTANGAN, TAMPAKAN, POLOMOLOK AND KORONADAL CITY.

WE WERE ALSO GIVEN RECOGNITION FOR OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM AS OUR PROVINCE HAS BEEN A RECIPIENT OF THE CROWN AWARD FROM 2004-2010. THE PROGRAM IS NOW GEARED TOWARD THE REDUCTION OF PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION IN THE PROVINCE THRU DIFFERENT PROGRAM AND PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.

 (1) ONE AMBULANCE WAS DELIVERED TO THE POLOMOLOK DISTRICT HOSPITAL WHICH THEY ARE NOW USING AND PRESENTLY, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING MORE AMBULANCES FOR LAKE SEBU DISTRICT HOSPITAL, SOUTH COTABATO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL AND RHU TAMPAKAN.

WE ARE THE RECIPIENT OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OF DOH IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PHP61.7M.

LET US DISCUSS OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN EDUCATION...

EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR DEVELOPMENT  THRUSTS. FACED WITH A 140 CLASSROOM SHORTAGE WHICH CONTINUES TO INCREASE EVERY YEAR, WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE CANNOT CLOSE THE GAP SOONER THAN WE WANT WITH JUST OUR OWN AND THE DEPED’S RESOURCES.

THIS LED US TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS INITIALLY WITH 2 PARTNERS NAMELY, DOLE PHILIPPINES AND CHUI BUN GIM FOUNDATION FOR ONE  ON ONE MATCHING SCHEME IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CLASSROOMS.

THE PROVINCIAL SCHOOL BOARD PASSED A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNOR TO USE THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND (SEF) ALLOCATED FOR SCHOOL BUILDING AS COLLATERAL FOR A LOAN OF PHP40MILLION SO THAT AGAIN, WITH THE ONE ON ONE MATCHING SCHEME WITH DEPED WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRIDGE THE GAP.

IN ADDITION WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH DOLE,  AND MAHINTANA FOUNDATION WHO WILL PROVIDE THE MATERIALS FOR THE FABRICATION OF ARMCHAIRS WITH SMI AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PAYING FOR THE LABOR COSTS. 

THIS WILL ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF 15,000 ARMCHAIRS IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE PROVINCE.

IN RETURN, THE BENEFICIARY SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO PLANT 10 TREES FOR EVERY CHAIR GIVEN TO THEM.  WE EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO PLANT 150,000 TREES THIS YEAR FROM THIS PROGRAM.

WITH THE MOU BETWEEN DENR, DEPED AND THE PROVINCE, THE CONFISCATED LOGS WILL BE USED TO MANUFACTURE FURNITURES, CHAIRS, AND TABLES FOR THE USE OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.  WE PLAN TO INITIALLY DISTRIBUTE CHAIRS AND TABLES TO 40 PRESCHOOLS IN THE PROVINCE. AGAIN THE BENEFICIARY SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PLANT 10 TREES PER CHAIR AND TABLE.

WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO PARTNERS WHO SHARE THE SAME VISION WITH US IN EDUCATION PARTICULARLY TESDA AND WE WERE GRANTED PHP1 MILLION WORTH OF SCHOLARSHIPS WHICH WE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE.

WE PARTNERED WITH DOLE PHIL AND MAHINTANA FOUNDATION’S KAPIT-BISIG PARA SA KABATAAN PROGRAM  ALONG WITH DEPED, ROTARY CLUB OF KORONADAL AND LGUS IN OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM. WE EXPANDED ITS IMPLEMENTATION TO 34 BARANGAYS AND 22 SCHOOLS AND INCREASED THE COVERAGE BY ALMOST 3,000 MALNOURISHED CHILDREN IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

WE APPROPRIATED PHP8 MILLION TO PURCHASE A FIVE HECTARE LOT  FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL IN KORONADAL COURTESY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

THE UP MANILA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCE EXTENSION CAMPUS WAS ESTABLISHED DURING THE TIME OF FORMER GOVERNOR FUENTES AND OPENED ITS CLASSES IN JUNE 2010.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT  THIS NOBLE PROJECT. WE HAVE APPROPRIATED PHP1.5M THIS YEAR FOR ITS OPERATIONS AND ANOTHER PHP500,000.00 FOR ITS TOILET AND BATH FACILITIES.  WE ALLOCATED ANOTHER PHP1.5 MILLION FOR THE BRIDGE OF UP WHICH IS STILL FOR APPROVAL BY THE SP.

WE HAVE ALSO SPONSORED 12 OUT OF THE 35 PIONEERING STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL THIS YEAR. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK  T’BOLI  MINING CORPORATION ESPECIALLY ITS PRESIDENT ATTY. EUMIR TIAMZON FOR DONATING 11 NIPA HUTS AS TEMPORARY BOARDING HOUSE FOR OUR SCHOLARS.

WE SUSTAINED THE KABUGWASON-PAGLAUM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND THE GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAM, A BRAINCHILD OF THEN VICE GOVERNOR ELIORDO OGENA TO ENCOURAGE MORE STUDENTS TO TAKE UP DEGREE AND TECHNICAL COURSES. PRESENTLY, THE KPSP IS SPONSORING 335 SCHOLARS IN DIFFERENT TERTIARY SCHOOLS IN AND OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE.

WE REVIVED THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH AN INITIAL BENEFICIARY OF 50 STUDENTS PER BARANGAY OR A TOTAL OF 9,900 STUDENTS. MOREOVER, WE INCLUDED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NO. 2 THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR  ELEMENTARY STUDENTS.

WE SET ASIDE PHP8.84 MILLION AS LUMP SUM APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

WE HAVE ALSO APPROPRIATED PHP1.8 MILLION AS COUNTERPART HONORARIA FOR OUR DAY CARE WORKERS.

WE APPROPRIATED A BUDGET FOR 6 COMPUTERS IN THE PROVINCIAL LIBRARY IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENT TECHNOLOGY NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO RESEARCH WORKS AND AS WELL AS 6 COMPUTERS FOR OUR SHARING COMPUTER ACCESS LOCALLY AND ABROAD (SCALA).

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY, WE HAVE EMBARKED ON THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ON MASTERS IN TROPICAL RISK MANAGEMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE ALLOCATED A BUDGET OF PHP800,000  FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM. THERE ARE 25 ENROLLEES FROM THE PROVINCE, MUNICIPALITIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS.

ON ENVIRONMENT...

THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SUSTAINED THE CONTROVERSIAL BAN ON THE OPEN PIT MINING METHOD IN SOUTH COTABATO DESPITE PRESSURES FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER SECTORS.  THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS WAS SIGNED AND APPROVED LAST MARCH 24, 2011.

THE FIRST CLUSTER SANITARY LANDFILL IN THE COUNTRY INITIATED BY FORMER GOVERNOR FUENTES AND TECHNICALLY ASSISTED BY USAID WAS INAUGURATED LAST JUNE 23, 2011.

A TOTAL AMOUNT OF PHP6M WAS PROVIDED FOR THE SURALLAH CLUSTER BENEFITING 6 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE UPPER VALLEY AREA.

LET ME CONGRATULATE MAYOR SOLIVIO FOR BEING THE CLUSTER HOST MUNICIPALITY.  THIS ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS  AND WILL SUSTAIN THE PROGRAM.  OUR INITIATIVE ON WASTE MATTER IS RECOGNIZED NATIONWIDE MAKING THE PROVINCE A LEARNING SITE FREQUENTLY VISITED BY LGU’S COMING FROM LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO.

WE HELD THE 2ND SOUTH COTABATO RECYCLABLE WASTE FAIR LAST NOVEMBER 26, 2010 WHEREIN WE COLLECTED A TOTAL OF 5.8 TONS OF JUNKS. THE SAID EVENT WAS COVERED BY BOTH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND EVEN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA.

WE SUSTAINED THE ALLAH VALLEY LANDSCAPE AND DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE  (AVLADA) WHICH WAS CREATED DURING THE TERM OF GOVERNOR FUENTES AND GOVERNOR  MANGUDADATU.  IT IS A GALING POOK AWARDEE WHICH WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF THE ENORMITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS THAT CONFRONTS THE PROVINCES OF SOUTH COTABATO AND SULTAN KUDARAT ESPECIALLY THE AREA TRAVERSED BY THE ALLAH RIVER.

IT HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 13 LGU’S, 4 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ONE NGO CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES AND WORKING COLLECTIVELY FOR THE PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE ALLAH VALLEY AREA.  THE ALLIANCE WAS IDENTIFIED AS A BENEFICIARY OF THE LGSP LED CIDA GRANT LAST MARCH STRENGTHENING FURTHER THE SAID ALLIANCE.

WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH DBP IN THE GREENING PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.  WE WERE APPROVED A GRANT TO REFOREST 200 HECTARES IN THE ALLAH VALLEY AREA.  WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR PLANTING MATERIALS IN OUR NURSERY FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ALL LGU’S, NGO, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR OWN GREENING EFFORT.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND MAYOR PETER MIGUEL FOR HIS TREE GROWING PROJECT 5 DAYS AGO WHICH MADE AN IMPACT AND HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED TO REFOREST OUR MOUNTAINS.

WE COORDINATED WITH THE DENR-PASU, AND PNP IN APPREHENDING 13,000 BOARD FEET OF ILLEGALLY CUT LUMBER.  THIS LUMBER WILL BE USED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO MANUFACTURE CHAIRS AND TABLES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE DISRUPTED THE ILLEGAL TRANSPORT OF COPPER ORES IN TAMPAKAN  WHICH STARTED IN 2006 YET REMAINED UNCURTAILED FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

WE ISSUED STOPPAGE ORDERS TO ALL ILLEGAL MINING OPERATORS PENETRATING THE HINTERLANDS; 80 ILLEGAL QUARRY OPERATORS WERE APPREHENDED WHICH GENERATED PHP5.4 MILLION IN REVENUE TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, 9% HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

WE ISSUED E.O NO. 16, SERIES OF 2011 MANDATING ALL MUNICIPALITIES, CITY TO DEPUTIZE EARTH SAVERS WITHIN THEIR TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION AS PARTNERS IN THE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

AS PART OF THE THRUST OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE A CLEAN AND GREEN ENVIRONMENT AND AT THE SAME TIME A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL IS DECLARED A NO SMOKING COMPOUND.

IN LINE WITH THIS WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MAYOR BOYING GARINGO FOR WINNING THE RED ORCHID AWARD.  THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO LGU  THAT IMPLEMENTS RA­­­­ 9211 (ANTI-SMOKING ORDINANCE).

ON SPORTS...

ON OUR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, WE PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PROVINCE.  WE HAVE ALSO MADE MODEST ENHANCEMENT IN OUR SPORTS FACILITIES TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE PROVINCE AS A SPORTS HUB IN MINDANAO.  ENOUGH LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED IN THE SPORTS COMPLEX SO THAT THE FACILITIES CAN BE USED EVEN AT NIGHT.

WE SPONSORED WITH THE SOUTH COTABATO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, THE 1ST SOUTH COTABATO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT WHEREIN NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY BECAME THE CHAMPION FOR BOTH THE MEN AND WOMEN. THE OPENING OF THE 1ST SOUTH COTABATO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IS SCHEDULED ON JULY 13, 2011.

WE AGAIN HOSTED THE 2011 COTABATO REGIONAL ATHLETIC MEET DESPITE A MOMENT’S NOTICE WHERE SOUTH COTABATO EMERGED AS THE OVER-ALL CHAMPION.

WE HOSTED THE COACHES AND TRAINORS TRAINING IN ATHLETICS UNDER PATAFA (PHILIPPINE AMATEUR TRACK AND FIELD ASSOCIATION).

WE HELD 'SPORTS ARAL' FOR DIFFERENT SPORTS EVENTS LAST SUMMER.

WE WILL HOST AND SPONSOR THE NATIONAL DARTS TOURNAMENT ON JULY 15-17, 2011 AT THE MARBEL FOOD HARBOR, WHICH IS A NATIONAL RANKING EVENT.

WE HOSTED THE PHILIPPINE TENNIS ASSOCIATION ACCREDITED AGE-GROUP TOURNAMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TRINIVILLE TENNIS CLUB.

ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT...

WE SUSTAINED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNIVERSAL COVERAGE OF THE PHILHEALTH INDIGENCY PROGRAM UTILIZING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH LIVING STANDARD SURVEY (CHLSS) OF HEALTH GOVERNANCE.

WE STRENGTHENED THE CONVERGENCE APPROACH IN BARANGAY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DODO (DOABLE AND OBTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES) USING THE CHLSS DATA.

WE REDESIGNED OUR ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL  IN CRISIS SITUATION TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND EQUITABLE.

WE ORGANIZED AND ESTABLISHED THE PROVINCIAL RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE.

WE ESTABLISHED THE BARANGAY AFFAIRS OFFICE THAT WOULD CATER TO THE IMMEDIATE BASIC NEEDS OF THE BARANGAY.  THIS SERVES AS A BRIDGE OF THE BARANGAY IN THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF THE GOVERNOR.  THE OFFICE ASSISTS IN THE RELEASE OF THE BARANGAY ASSISTANCE FUND FOR THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF THE DIFFERENT BARANGAYS.

ON AGRICULTURE...

WE TOOK STEPS TO IMPROVE THE RICE PRODUCTION IN THE PROVINCE BY PROVIDING CERTIFIED PALAY SEEDS TO THE FARMERS AND SUBSIDIZING 50% OF THE COST.

WE COLLABORATED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE CANAHAY-HANOON FARM TO MARKET ROAD AND THE LOWER MACULAN-UPPER MACULAN FARM TO MARKET ROAD WHEREIN WE WILL SHOULDER 20% OF THE  PHP15MILLION BUDGET OR A TOTAL OF PHP3MILLION.

WE COLLABORATED WITH DA-MINDANAO RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND PARTNERED WITH THE LAKE SEBU AGRI DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE TO VENTURE INTO RUBBER AND COFFEE PRODUCTION.

WE WILL HOLD THE SOUTH COTABATO AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FAIR IN TUPI FOR THIS YEAR’S T’NALAK FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE THE TOWN AS AN AGRI-INDUSTRIAL CENTER.

ON TOURISM...

WE TRANSFERRED THE ACTS OFFICE TO A BETTER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE VENUE LOCATED AT THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE SOUTH COTABATO GYMNASIUM AND CULTURAL CENTER TO ACCOMMODATE MORE FOREIGN AND LOCAL TOURISTS.

THE NEW OFFICE WILL HAVE AN AVP AND CONFERENCE ROOM WHERE VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH AN AUDIO- VISUAL PRESENTATION (AVP) OF WHAT TO EXPECT AND SEE IN OUR PROVINCE.

WE UPDATED THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITE  AND MADE IT INTERACTIVE SO THAT ANYONE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH COTABATO.

WE ARE NEGOTIATING WITH THE GEN. SANTOS CITY AIRPORT TO PLACE AN AVP IN ITS WAITING LOUNGES IN ORDER TO PROMOTE SOUTH COTABATO’S RICH CULTURE AND THE BEAUTY OF ITS NATURAL RESOURCES.

WE WILL PROVIDE A TOURIST BUS TO BRING VISITORS TO THE DIFFERENT TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE PROVINCE AND IN REGION 12. TOUR PACKAGES ARE AMONG THE ADDITIONAL AMENITIES AND SERVICES WE WILL MAKE AVAILABLE.

WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY MEETING WITH THE SOUTH COTABATO TOURISM COUNCIL TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE STAKEHOLDERS IN ECO-TOURISM.

WE ARE PROVIDING TOURISTS WITH ADDITIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING  A MEDICAL CLINIC, WAITING AREA AND BRIEFING LOUNGES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY BEING CONSTRUCTED AT THE 7 FALLS ZIPLINE.

WE WILL SOON START WITH THE CONCRETING OF THE ROAD GOING TO THE ZIP LINE AT A COST OF PHP8 MILLION PESOS.

WE PROCURED 70 NEW HARNESSES TO ACCOMMODATE MORE RIDERS WITHIN THE DAY.

WE HIRED A PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICER TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE AREA AND ITS SERVICES.

WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE A GRANT FROM THE LGSP-LED-CIDA FOR THE CONCEPT OF AN ECOTOURISM HIGHWAY FOR REGION 12.

WE WILL INSTITUTIONALIZE THE BALIKBAYAN NIGHT DURING THE T’NALAK FESTIVAL BY ALLOCATING A BIGGER BUDGET.

WE WILL BE SIGNING A MOU FOR SISTERHOOD WITH CEBU PROVINCE THIS JULY 18, 2011 AND THE MOA SIGNING IF APPROVED BY THE SP IN AUGUST IN CEBU.

ON PEACE AND ORDER...

WE PROVIDED PHP7 MILLION WORTH OF PEACEKEEPING EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES TO THE PNP AND 27TH IB OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY.

WE ALLOCATED PHP1.4 M AS SUPPORT TO PNP, AFP,BFP, BJMP AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OPERATIONS IN THE PROVINCE.

WE ALLOCATED PHP1M AS A REWARD FOR THE STOPPAGE OF ILLEGAL LOGGING/MINING AND OTHER SYNDICATED CRIMES.

WE CONVENED  THE MEETING OF THE 5 PILLARS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.  IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, PNP,PAO, PBO, AND BJMP HAD A MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS  TO IMPROVE THE DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE.

WE PROVIDED 2 VEHICLES TO RTC JUDGES AND INCREASED THEIR HONORARIUM.

WE PROVIDED 1 VEHICLE AND  INCREASE THE HONORARIUM OF PROSECUTORS.

WE ALLOCATED PHP300,000.00 FOR THE FACE LIFTING/PAINTING OF THE HALL OF JUSTICE. WE ALSO PROVIDED 2 AIRCONDITIONER UNITS AND COMPUTERS TO THE HALL OF JUSTICE IN KORONADAL CITY.

WE HAVE FORMULATED A SCHEME WHEREIN THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT WILL PUT UP BAIL BOND FOR QUALIFIED PRISONERS IN GOOD STANDING WHICH THEY WILL REPAY FROM THEIR INCOME FROM THE LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS ALSO PROVIDED TO THEM.

WE ESTABLISHED THE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR BARANGAY UPPER SEPAKA, SURALLAH, SOUTH COTABATO, CALLED THE BALIK BARANGAY PARA SA KALINONG KAG KAUSWAGAN SA BARANGAY UPPER SEPAKA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AND SOME NGOS.

WE ESTABLISHED THE BARANGAY JUSTICE ADVOCATES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAHINTANA FOUNDATION.

WE ALLOCATED PHP10 MILLION FOR BARANGAY MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLES.

ON INFRASTRUCTURE...

THE PROVINCIAL ENGINEER’S OFFICE HAS IMPLEMENTED 76 CONTINUING PROJECTS CONSISTING OF ROADS, BRIDGES, WATER SYSTEMS, SCHOOL BUILDINGS, HEALTH CENTERS, MINI-GYMS AND OTHER FACILITIES WITH THE TOTAL COST OF PHP160M.

WE ALLOCATED PHP40M FOR THE REPAYMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND OTHER LOANS.

PHP10M WAS PROVIDED AS COUNTERPART TO FOREIGN-ASSISTED PROJECTS.

PHP68M IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE FINANCE BUILDING OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL.

PHP20M WAS EARMARKED FOR THE CONCRETING OF NHWY – BRGY. CANNERY ROAD AND UPGRADING OF THE BANGA – NORALA ROAD.

THE BARANGAY FLEET OF HEAVY EQUIPMENTS WAS CREATED TO RESPOND TO VARIOUS REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE REQUESTS FROM THE BARANGAYS AND PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATIONS.

ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT...

THE GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY IS MANIFESTED BY THE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENTS IN OUR AREA.

AS OF JULY LAST YEAR UP TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2011, A TOTAL OF PHP325M WAS INVESTED EMPLOYING 2,400 INDIVIDUALS.

OUR TOURISM SECTOR IS BECOMING A KEY CONTRIBUTOR TO PROVINCIAL REVENUES AS MORE GUESTS CONTINUE TO VISIT SEVERAL TOURIST SPOTS PROVIDING OUR BUSINESS AND SERVICE SECTORS ADDITIONAL INCOME.

WE  HAVE INVESTED ON INFRASTRUCTURES AND PEACE AND ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS.

WE HAVE LAUNCHED THE CREDIT SURETY FUND (CSF), A PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS WHEREIN ACCREDITED COOPERATIVES IN THE PROVINCE CAN OBTAIN LOANS FROM THE BSP WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDING THE  GUARANTY.

WE SUBMITTED FOR SP APPROVAL THE CREATION INTO ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES SOME INCOME GENERATING FACILITIES OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE REVENUES.

IV.   MY VISION AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE….

With the report now FINISHED, allow me to SHARE WITH YOU  my vision  FOR THE FUTURE OF SOUTH COTABATO WHICH IS CAPTURED BY THIS SIMPLE STATEMENT.

OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE SOUTH COTABATEñOS  WHICH COULD BE ATTAINED ONLY 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.

V.  Closing Statements

Today I have set my vision.  Our journey to realize this vision may be long and hard but as your Governor, I WILL LEAD THE WAY. As Roselyn Carter said:  “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessary want to go,  but ought to be”.

At this point, allow me to thank and recognize my partners in governance:  the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato headed by their able presiding officer, our beloved Vice Governor Elmo Bañez Tolosa. I hope we will continue with the SP, our relationship of critical collaboration. They have worked so hard and have done so much in so short a period of time practiSing their motto “Legislation beyond partisanship.”

Now, I am assured that they will give me their continuous support for I know, like all of us, we want to make South Cotabato a better place.

Let me also thank our partners: the NGOs, the Civil Society and all the sectors.  Without you, I cannot stand tall today.

I cannot overemphasize that GOOD GOVERNANCE IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS.   I need the help of everyone.  I AM asking the religious sector, the civil society, the NGOs, POs, cooperatives, the business sector,  MY  fellow public servants, AND our people to continuously join me  in making South Cotabato a haven of peace and development, with a healthy, educated, and productive citizenry living harmoniously in a safe and healthful environment.

Let me end By this words culled from a speech of a mayor OF Detroit, USA “Good government creates an environment to help regular people do extraordinary things. It inspires people to work together and take responsibility for their community”.

To my family, friends and supporters, thank you for the inspiration; and to my critics, thank you likewise for the motivation.

Sa inyo tanan, madamo gid nga salamat... Padayon,  South Cotabato!