Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos,
urged all vice governors to initiate programs and projects that are compatible with the programs and thrusts of the national government.
“Vice governors are in a unique position to bring about positive change as presiding officers of their respective sangguniang panlalawigan. I strongly support you (vice-governors) to craft relevant ordinances for the benefit of the people,” Abalos said during the oath-taking of the new set of officers of the 88th League of Vice-Governors of the Philippines National Assembly held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
“Let us, therefore, be active in collaborating with the administration by anchoring our programs and actions in the same direction while taking into consideration your localities’ needs,” he added.
The DILG chief also highlighted the importance of the multisectoral cooperation in developing LGU plans and actions to solve systemic problems in the provinces and maintain peaceful, safe, and orderly localities.
“Pakinggan natin ang mga sektor para kasama natin sila sa pagbalangkas ng solusyon (Let us listen to the sectors and include them in crafting the solution). With the multisectoral way of doing simple things fundamentally and the involvement of all sectors, we will never go wrong,” he stated.
Ally of vice-governors
Abalos assured that the DILG shall remain an ally of the vice-governors and is committed to providing continuous capacity development interventions on policy-making, one of their most critical responsibilities; Green Space and environmental sustainability; and, implementation of the newly elected officials (NEOs) program.
Through the NEO Program, Abalos said the DILG will hold orientations on the basics of local governance and administration and provide online training courses about the local government operations and scholarship opportunities for their academic and professional development and other hands-on and in-depth training and Capacity Development (CapDev) interventions.
Upholding the rule of law
Abalos also urged the local officials to uphold the rule of law in carrying out their thrusts and priority programs, especially as the government pursues its anti-drug campaign.
In pinning down alleged drug culprits in the Mandaluyong City, Abalos said his administration designated employees to be witnesses in anti-drug drives, targeting both big and small-scale drug operations, to strengthen the cases against those involved in the drug trade and increase the chances of conviction.
“We only have to be creative in finding solutions to the issues and challenges at hand. Ang importante lang naman ay wala tayong lalabaging batas sa bawat hakbang na gagawin natin (What is only important is we will not break any law in each step we take),’’ Abalos pointed out. (Chito A. Chavez)