BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
At least over five thousand officials from 462 Barangays of this province supported by the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperons ,convened for the 11th Provincial Barangay Congress , Tuesday ,March 14 held at the Mindanao Civic Center , Gymnasium, Sagadan Tubod, Top Officials said.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, through the office of the Provincial ABC Federated President & Ex-Officio Board Member, Hon. Genesis E. Tura, and in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government of Lanao del Norte (DILG-LDN), the summit was attended by keynote speakers in line with this year’s theme, “Liga ng mga Barangay Lanao del Norte Kaisa sa Kalinisan, Kaayusan, Pagsugpo sa Ilegal na Droga at Pagpapalaganap ng Pagkaing Sapat Para sa Lahat.”
Among the topics discussed during the 1-day event were the “Kasimbayanan and the Role of the Barangays in Community Policing” by the newly installed PNP Provincial Director PCOL. Sandy S. Vales; the “RA 9003 and Limpyong Lanorte Framework by the DILG Provincial Director Bruce Colao; Campaign Against Illegal Drugs by Agent Jason Pabericio of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA); Maintaining a safe, clean and healthy community by Engr. Melba Maghuyop; Provincial Gulayan Program by Provincial Agriculturist Letecia Ditucalan; Roles of Barangays in Universal Health Care by the PHO-UHC Focal Person Xyza Enterina; Nutritional Status of Lanao del Norte by the PHO-Family Health Cluster Head Dr. Khryssly Zoe Tabañag; Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity(MR-SIA) and Teenage Pregnancy by the PHO-EPI & Adolescent Coordinator Kjell Gementiza; and the Road Clearing and Right-of-way by the LTO District Office Head Malic Sultan.
Ambrocio Cabugnason Jr., Barangay Chairman of Licapao, Tubod, said, “Kani na kalihukan dako kaayog ikatabang namong mga barangay officials kay ug naay mga kalihukan, balaod, o programa na gusto ipaabot sa barangay gikan sa probinsya, among mahibaw-an. Nalipay mi ani na okasyon bisan kausa lang sa isa ka tuig mahitabo kining among panag tigom.”
Concurrently, the DILG-LDN also introduced and launched the two flagship programs of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for the continued fight against illegal drugs and addressing hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture – the rollout of the “Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) Program and “Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas At Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay” Program.
USEC. Felicito Valmocina, Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs of the DILG, via video message, conveyed his unwavering support and encouragement to all barangay officials in the province, saying, “Napaka-halaga ng patuloy na pagsuporta ng ating mga pamayanan sa pangunguna ng ating mga barangay sa mga adbokasiya ng ating national governement.”
Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza-Dimaporo lauded the efforts of BM Tura for gathering all the barangay officials of the 22 municipalities for a shared goal of attaining lasting peace and development in the province. In her message, she highlighted various developments in the province such as the launching of the Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park as an ASEAN Heritage Park and the soon-to-be-completed Paguil Bay Bridge. However, she also stressed the importance of eliminating illegal drugs in all barangays and said, “We will see to it that we secure enough funding for the drug testing of all our barangay officials. This is to make sure that you, as leaders, set good examples to all the constituents.”
BM Tura, likewise, encouraged cooperation among all barangay officials on the war on drugs saying, “Importante kaayo ang roles sa mga barangay officials kay sila ang frontliners ug sila gyud ang mga nakabalo kung kinsa ang involved sa drugs. Akong gihangyo ang matag barangay na magtimbayayong kita alang sa pagsugpo sa illegal drugs.”
Also present during the congress were former 2nd District Representative Abdullah ‘Bobby’ Dimakuta Dimaporo and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Allan Lim.
Later that afternoon, the Liga ng mga Barangay also handed out various home appliances and motorcycles as grand prizes to three lucky winners through a raffle draw.
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