Top government officials of Bulacan, headed by Governor Daniel Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis Castro, declare their unity and resolve in solving the problems facing the province.
The commitment was made during a forum called "Strengthening Governance Through Adaptive Leadership and Management" held at The Manor, Camp John Hay, Baguio City from Sept. 19 to 20.
In his opening message, Fernando thanked all the participants composed of the mayors, vice mayors, board members, national government agencies, and Provincial Government of Bulacan department heads for taking the time to tackle the province's lingering issues such as illegal quarrying and logging, land use reclassification, and flooding.
On the first day of the forum, Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Victor Mendoza led the discussions on “BCCI: Your Private Sector Partner in Development.” 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 Dizon tackled “DTI Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration with LGUs in Business Development and Consumer Protection," Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo talked about the “Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES)," and Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office Head lawyer Julius Victor De Gala discussed Bulacan’s initiatives to further protect the environment.
Engineer Randy Po of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) discussed the “Flooding Situation of the Province” to which Fernando, Engineer Henry Alcantara and Engineer George Santos from the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bulacan, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Bulacan Provincial Director Emelita P. Lingat gave their responses.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Regional Director Felix Vibares Brazil Jr., represented by Corazon Labay, talked about “Comprehensive Land Use Planning" while Provincial Planning Development Office Head Arlene G. Pascual reported on the “Status of Land Use Regulation and Management in the Province of Bulacan."
Other discussions focused on “Inter-agency Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (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.