By Gerry Lee Gorit
THE provincial government of Misamis Oriental and Xavier University inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on November 14, 2024 kicking off their collaboration to reduce the poverty rate of the province in less than ten percent by 2028.
Provincial administrator John Venice Ladaga represented Gov. Peter “St Pedro” M. Unabia in signing the MOU with Xavier University president Fr. Mars Tan at AVR 1 inside the university premises.With him are Board Members Gerardo “Boboy” Sabal, Wayne T. Militante, Rey Buhisan and Dexter Yasay, Princess Emano.
“This is a vital significance for the provincial government’s effort to reduce poverty incidence in a single digit,but it cant be done like a bullet but through a consistent effort like what the governor done on SDPI collaboration”Sabal told Media.
“This partnership consolidates the efforts of both parties to develop research-based policies and programs designed to uplift vulnerable communities,” Ladaga said.
The MOU signing was likewise witnessed by provincial board members, mayors and officials of Xavier University.
Single digit poverty incidence is a Marcos administration initiative that takes off from the United Nations sustainable development goals.
Whereas other local government units have merely trickled it down, the Unabia administration has infused it into his holistic governance from the barangay level up.
Xavier Unitversity’s academic expertise will play a critical role, providing real support through research and community initiatives to ensure that solutions are informed, inclusive and sustainable.
A multi-structural approach for SDPI involves aligning the efforts of both national and local governments in their poverty reduction initiatives.
Specifically, various levels of local government must commit to shared goals and collaboratively pursue their SDPI actions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
The primary challenge in local governance concerning development goals is achieving this alignment. Focus areas are education and skills development, employment acceleration and livelihood support.
This early, Unabia’s efforts have already achieved initial success.
According to the PSA’s latest community-based monitoring system, Misamis Oriental’s poverty incidence rate has tremendously gone down from 23 percent to 16 percent.
“Kini nga programa dili lamang usa ka plano, apan usa ka damgo nga mamahimong hamogaway ang pamuyo sa matag Misamisnon ug hayahay ang ilang kaugmaon, ilabi na ang ilang mga anak ug ang sunod nga henerasyon,” Ladaga said.
