BAGUIO CITY–Heads of the key departments of the provincial government of Bulacan presented to Bulacan mayors and vice mayors, board members and other officials the province economic road map for the next ten to twenty years which their towns and cities should be aligned with.
Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alex Castro led Bulacan Mayors through League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) President Bocaue Mayor and City of Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad in a 2-day “Strengthening Governance Through Adaptive Leadership and Management forum on Monday and Tuesday at the Manor Camp John Hay in this city.
Fernando said a “tour” on the road map is needed for the mayors and vice mayors so that they can fully understand and cooperate with the programs to be implemented by the provincial government in preparation for the macro developments in the province to be brought by the now being constructed international airport, the MRT-7, the North South Commuter Railways and other huge game changer investments in order to succeed.
Fernando called for the leadership and governance summit and made the department heads discussed the current direction of the province in terms of progress and the need to resolve the issues on illegal quarrying and logging, land use reclassification, flooding, road destruction, among others.
“We need to brace for the huge development that is happening now in our province. We can solve the problems besieging us if we all have one common direction. We know the problem, we know the solution and we all act as one to solve them,” the governor said.
Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Victor F. Mendoza discussed the role of the private and the business sector in the development being a major partner wherein Castro extended the willingness of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to create ordinances that will be beneficial to maintain the partnership of the government and the private sectors.
Department of Trade and Industry-Bulacan Provincial Director Edna D. Dizon tackled “DTI Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration with LGUs in Business Development and Consumer Protection”, Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo shared about the “Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES)”, and Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Atty. Julius Victor De Gala talked about Bulacan’s initiatives to further protect the environment.
Engr. Randy H. Po of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) thoroughly discussed the “Flooding Situation of the Province” wherein Fernando urged an even more stronger help and support from Engr. Henry Alcantara and Engr. George DC. Santos from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Bulacan Provincial Director Emelita P. Lingat.
In addition, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Regional Director Felix Vibares Brazil, Jr. who was represented by Ms. Corazon Labay, Division Chief of ELUPDD, talked about “Comprehensive Land Use Planning”, while PPDO Head Arlene G. Pascual reported the “Status of Land Use Regulation and Management in the Province of Bulacan”.
Also discussed were the “Inter-agency DRRM Collaboration and Partnership towards Sustainability” by Provincial DRRM Officer Felicisima L. Mungcal, “Intensified Anti-Overloading Operations” by NLEX President and General Manager Luigi T. Bautista, and “Adaptive Leadership and Management” by Prof. Edel C. Guiza.