The Uyugan Times

Governor delivers "State of the Province" Address
The Batanes Capitol, 2002

Respected Vice Governor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board or Provincial Legislature), most esteemed members of this August body, heads of the different department, officials, and employees of the provincial government and to all peace-loving Ivatans, a pleasant good morning.

I take great pleasure to address you today on the occasion of the first session of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan this calendar year 2002. My message shall cover the executive development program thrust in general which we envision for CY 2002 and the year ahead in consonance with the investment and development programs contained in our update master plan of the province and is summarized as follows:

A. Vision for development
B. Provincial/local development strategies
C. Specific priority program thrusts for CY 2002 such as:

1. Education and human resource development
2. Agriculture
3. Infrastructure and economic support services
4. Cultural preservation and enrichment
5. Environmental conservation and preservation
6. Fostering government and private sector partnership

A. Vision for Development

The vision of the province provides for the integration of our geographically fragmented islands where social, cultural, political and economic interaction takes place and where local natural resources are harnessed without destroying their regenerative capacities and productive opportunities.

Local development will be guided by appropriate land use policies, as well as appropriate planning, development and management of natural resources.

Therefore, all actions for local development should be planned within the framework of environmental preservation. Development programs and projects must have set of goals and objectives.

As a whole, local development must promote and reflect a higher quality of life for all of us today and future generations.

All of these are the investment programs that are contained in the updated master plan, popularly known as "ONWARD BATANES."

B. Provincial/Local Development Strategies

To pursue this local development, three basic strategies should be given priority, these are identified as resources and area-based development, effective local development administration and the delivery of minimum basic services.

1. Resource and Area-based Development

The utilization of available and potential human, physical and natural resources should be enhanced. Resources must be utilized on areas that fit into the general development objectives. That interventions should be undertaken in the context of how comparative advantages can be enhanced to realize the LGU's potential.

2. Effective Local Development Administration

The establishment of mechanism to achieve effective local development administration must be set up to ensure that the goals of local development can be achieved. This is aimed to provide the local administration the independence and ability to plan, program, and budget their available resources.

3. Delivery of Minimum Desirable Levels of Welfare Services

Improvement in overall quality of life shall be achieved through the development of full human potential, which in turn requires, among others, the provision of access to basic needs and essential services. In addition, security in basic needs and promotion of individual self-fulfillment shall be fostered by developing employment and regular incomes. This may entail allocation of resources by the government so that no barangay or municipality falls below specific service delivery standards.

C. Specific Priority Program Thrusts for Y2002

1. Education and human resources development

The development and provision of education facilities and services is identified in the updated master plan as one of our priority.

Currently, the province is providing support to the Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP) school building program which started in 1999. The province has invested about 14 million pesos out of its 20% development fund and from the CDF (Countrywide Development Fund) of Congressman Florencio B. Abad for the construction, repair, rehabilitation and renovation of dilapidated elementary school buildings.

To further show our resolve in pursuing education and human resources development, the province has initiated and accessed funding support from the Department of Finance through the Local Government Finance and Development (LOGOFIND) project, for the construction, repair, rehabilitation and/or renovation of secondary school buildings in the whole province. Total funding support is about 33 million pesos where we will invest about 3.3 million pesos as counterpart funding.

These projects shall be implemented this year and I solicit your support for the efficient and effective implementation of these projects.

2. Agriculture

Agriculture in general encompasses all the activities involved in the production of crops and livestock, including those activities in the fishery sector based on the last situationer report of the provincial agriculturist in 1998 in the absence of an updated report; the status of agriculture in Batanes is far from ideal in terms of food sufficiency.

The commodity situationer is not far from what we are now today. Agriculture, despite the involvement of about two thirds of the total labor force has not yet come up with appropriate system to produce the food requirements of the province.

Notwithstanding the favorable temperate climate with almost even distribution of rainfall and solar energy throughout the year based on the PAGASA report and despite the vast and rich fishing ground surrounding the province, there still exist a large deficit in vegetable production and fish production, respectively. Similarly, there is large deficit in local production of poultry eggs, poultry meat and rice. All these deficits are filled up by importing these basic commodities from mainland Luzon. Given these stark realities, and situation, the objective of food self-sufficiency for Batanes is still wanting.

Adjustments are needed in the agriculture sector it being the principal pre-occupation of the productive sector of the province. For this purpose, a study is needed in order to set programs and focus development that will make the agriculture sector productive in the local setting.

It is a fact that land expansion for agriculture is limited province wide, except Itbayat where potential for expansion exists that being the case, land use intensification and improved production technology and strategies provide the only means for expanding agriculture in our province.

However, these adjustments in agriculture, including land intensification, require resolute decisions. It is therefore, important to know who will make and carry out these decisions and relevant information for this purpose to know who owns the land or the farm particularly those that are left idle.

To realize our objective and to be able to attain food sufficiency in the province, I have given instructions to the provincial agriculture and provincial veterinary offices to prepare a plan of action and specific projects to address immediately our shortages in vegetables, poultry meat and fishery products.

To support these programs, the province intended to invest a larger amount from its 20% development fund this year for as long as it is doable. This will initially be a government initiated and managed program or project.

Furthermore, efforts are on-going to identify idle lands or farm lots in all municipalities through the municipal assessor's office in order that if the owners of these idle farm lots are agreeable, a memorandum of agreement will be executed for the use of these idle lands for this program where the owners will have a fair share of the produce.

3. Infrastructure and economic support services

An efficient infrastructure system, as a matter of principle, will enhance the broad-based development of the province's geographically fragmented islands, thereby facilitating the mobility of people, goods and services.

As we have indicated in the updated master plan, decent community living which requires basic infrastructure facilities and economic support services which include the roads and transport facilities for the mobility of people and goods, power and water facilities to serve household and industry needs and communication and financial services to facilitate personal and business transactions in our efforts to develop our geographically isolated province.

Wherefore, some of our priority programs are the hybrid wind plant power generating facility to ensure a reliable, stable and affordable 24-hour electricity in Batan Island, the first of its kind in the Philippines; development/improvement of access roads, like farm-to-market roads, rehabilatory improvement of municipal roads, provincial and national roads and bridges, feeder ports and our communication systems to include the acquisition of internet equipments to support our infrastructure and economic activities.

4. Cultural preservation and enrichment

We can now fairly say that we are now at the portal of the new millennium.

As newer technologies of teaching and learning emerge, we shall be faced with more challenging environments - the promise of a better future for Batanes will depend on how well we cope with the learnings coming from all over the globe.

For us Ivatans in the province, we know that our long history and rich cultural heritage is our strength and inspiration. As a matter of development principle, total development is possible only if cultural diversity is considered as a strength and as an opportunity for growth. This entails knowing and understanding and experiencing our unique character, culture, attitudes including our behavioral patterns based on our historical cultural heritage.

This program aims to establish, maintain, and enrich the desirable traditions and values and preserve the material culture of the Ivatans.

Within this context and understanding we shall pursue what we have started and shall support and encourage the members of the secretariat group to complete our nomination dossier for Batanes to be included in the UNESCO world heritage list.

The province and the office of Congressman Florencio B. Abad aims specifically through this project to preserve these distinct cultural traits and our efforts has been recognized by institutions like the UNESCO. They recognized the distinct Ivatan culture manifested in our adaptive local architecture and lifestyle and its contribution to civilization in general.

5. Environmental conservation and preservation

This program aims to protect, conserve, develop and judiciously use and manage our natural resources in order to maintain and attain a balanced and biodiversified ecosystem province wide.

As I have stated earlier local development activities should be planned and carried out within the framework of environmental preservation. This recognizes, among others, the real threat of an irreversible process of degradation given the severe effects on the environment of an irresponsible planning and programming. Thus, there is a need to address our fast growing problem on solid waste disposal and management and other environmental problems.

Unless we put our acts together now, we will all suffer the consequences of our natural resources endowments - the sea, air and land will all suffer an irreversible degradation, not to mention the bad effects on the health status of all residents in Batanes.

6. Fostering government and private sector partnership

Finally, the government no longer has the monopoly in the provision of basic services and other development needs. It has recognized that development is anchored on collective choice and responsibility. It is necessary, therefore, that we continue to forge and strengthen our partnerships with our stakeholders, such as the community, the business sector and other non-government organizations especially in areas where collaborative action is essential and where government may not have sufficient resources to intervene.

Towards this end, the necessary administrative assistance and legislative support be presented to the honorable members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan whenever necessary to formulate relevant policies in order to attain our development efforts towards improving the quality of life of the Ivatan people.

Our broad vision of development will collapse unless our people in the remotest barangays feel the changes in their lives and this is where the role of local government - our role as executives and legislators become critical.

As we are all aware our country is faced with political and economic crisis due to uncertain peace and order situations, and therefore Batanes is definitely affected. It is in this context that I appeal to all members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, heads of the provincial offices down to their personnel, municipal mayors and their respective Sanggunian, barangay officials, national government agencies, NGOs, PO's and to all peace loving Ivatans to request your unwavering support in pursuing our development plans and programs, despite this crisis confronting us and even with our limited financial resources. I am confident that if we continue to strive together as a team looking into the welfare of and the best interest of our constituents, and resort to creative economy, we shall forge ahead. And with the Almighty God's blessings, the fruits of our labor and hard work will not go in vain. That our success will depend on our collaborative determination borne out of an inner motivation to help one another attain our individual aspirations and goals in life, and make our beloved province a haven to all peace loving people.

Thank you and may God bless us all!