Strong and adaptive to change
Bulacan leaders unite to solve the province’s issues
CITY OF MALOLOS– In a rare occasion, top government officials of Bulacan headed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis Castro unite in a bid to solve the current issues of the province during the Strengthening Governance Through Adaptive Leadership and Management held at The Manor, Camp John Hay, Baguio City from September 19 to 21, 2022.
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 lingering issues of Bulacan including illegal quarrying and logging, land use reclassification, and flooding among others.
“Sisikapin nating maibsan ang mga kinakaharap na suliranin ng ating mga kababayan. Sa kabilang dako naman ay paghahanda sa mga opportunity na paparating sa ating lalawigan. Narito po tayo ngayon dahil alam ko at nakikita ko na maso-solve natin ito lahat at kayang kaya natin ito kung tayo ay magsasama-sama at kakalimutan natin ang pulitika,” the top provincial chief executive in the province said.
For the first day of the forum, Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Victor F. Mendoza discussed the topic “BCCI: Your Private Sector Partner in Development” 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.
Also, 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.
Meanwhile, for the second day, Engr. Randy H. Po of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) thoroughly discussed the “Flooding Situation of the Province” which Fernando, 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 gave their responses.
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”.
Other topics that were dealt with include “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. ###