CITY OF MALOLOS — Emphasizing the province’s consistent dedication to excellence and good governance, Governor Daniel R. Fernando highlighted Bulacan’s eighth time passing of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Seal of Good Local Governance during the Pamaskong Pagdiriwang at Ulat sa Lalawigan 2024 on Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 11) at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here.
Led by Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, the Provincial Government of Bulacan received the prestigious award on Tuesday, (Dec. 10), at the Manila Hotel. The DILG initially released last November 14 the list of passers including the Cities of Baliwag, Malolos, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte, and Municipalities of Angat, Balagtas, Bulakan, Bustos, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Guiguinto, Marilao, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, and Santa Maria.
Attended by Sangguniang Barangay officials and members from District 1 including the towns of Paombong, Pulilan, Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, and City of Malolos, Fernando reminded them that they are part of this achievement and it would not be possible without them.
“Lahat kayo, hindi po namin ‘yan mabubuo without you. Pinagtulung-tulungan po natin lahat ito. ‘Wag ninyong isipin na sa amin lang ito. Tayong lahat ay bahagi ng SGLG na iyan. ‘Yang walong sunud-sunod na ‘yan ay kabahagi ang mga kapitan sa buong lalawigan ng Bulacan,” Fernando said.
Meanwhile, Fernando’s year-end report underscored the province’s accomplishments through his “The People’s Agenda 10” and some of which includes construction of two quarantine facilities and the Bulacan Infection Control Center as effective response during the COVID-19 pandemic surge; provision of new hospital ambulances and other medical facilities; and creation of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science for the Universal Health Care agenda.
For quality education, the Tulong Pang-Edukasyon Para sa Bulakenyo Scholars produced a total of 88,128 scholars which is equivalent to P285,936,929; constructed 171 school buildings with 685 classrooms worth P1 billion; 1,855 active accredited Day Care workers and 1,055 active accredited Day Care Centers from October 2019 to June 2024; a total of 48,599 Day Care pupils received modular bags in 2023; 895 Persons Deprived of Liberty were enrolled in the Alternative Learning System program; and the successful launch of the first-ever Bulacan University and Collegiate Athletic Association (BUCAA).
Fernando also emphasized the success of job fairs conducted in the province as 10,341 Bulakenyos were successfully hired in response to achieving a Vibrant Local Economy and Jobs for every Bulakenyo.
Under Sustainable Agriculture and Strong Cooperatives agenda, the PGB provided support to the agriculture sector by providing farmers and fisherfolks with seedlings, fertilizers, fingerlings, and demo sites as well as the establishment of Farmers and Fisherfolks Training Center; and the launching of GO KOOP dashboard that can be utilized by cooperatives in the province.
In caring for the poor and marginalized, the PGB provided various assistance for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and persons deprived of liberty.
The governor also reported his accomplishments on relevant and resilient Infrastructure agenda including the Bagong Tanglaw Pag-asa Youth Rehabilitation Center in Brgy. Bulihan, City of Malolos, and the new Provincial Blood Center and Provincial Health Office.
Fernando also reported his administration’s efforts with regard to booming tourism and preservation of cultural heritage agenda including the recently memorandum of agreement undertaking between the PGB and Knowledge Channel for the SIneliksik Bulacan Program, the Queen’s Homecoming of Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Anne Manalo, Singkaban Festival Level Up, and Arts and Culture Promotions.
In response to resilient nature and clean environment agenda, dredging activities were conducted wherein a total of 325,823 cu.m were excavated to prevent flooding; EO 23 or the Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force was implemented in an aim to protect the forestry in the province; and conducted numerous tree planting activities for a healthier ecosystem.
In terms of peace, order and security, Fernando emphasized the passing of Executive Order No. 19, series of 2024 “Enjoining the Close Monitoring of POGO in the Province of Bulacan” which tasks local executives to do inspections on the operations of POGOs in their area. He also mentioned the disaster resilience and mitigation initiatives and disaster preparedness and mitigation response programs implemented in the province.
Aside from the SGLG, the province also received several awards including the Hall of Fame award for Local Revenue Generation, five awards at Gawad Timpukan Central Luzon, 2019 Rice Achievers Awards as Outstanding Province – Category A in the country, ISO Certification, ranked eighth as the Most Competitive Province in the 2023 Philippine Competitiveness Ranking and Outstanding Local Chief Executive of the Philippines – Provincial Category for Luzon Island to name a few that proved the PGB’s Good and Responsive Governance.
On his part, Vice Gov. Castro said milestone is a result of continuous unity of the PGB for all Bulakenyos, stressing on the possible effects of feud between the leaders to the people.
Kapag nag-aaway-away ang mga lider, sino ba ang naaapektuhan? Ang taumbayan. Kayong mga nasa baranggay. Sino ang naiipit? ‘Yung mga nasa barangay. Kaya kung sa ibang bayan ang mayor at vice mayor ay magkaaway na, dito po sa Provincial Government si Daniel Fernando at Alex Castro patuloy pong nagkakaisa para sa buong lalawigan ng Bulacan,” Castro said. (UnliNews Online)
