August 18, 2007
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

WHEN ONE speaks of e-governance, Bulacan always comes to mind. In fact, its “paperless bureaucracy” is so celebrated that even other countries have sought to replicate it.

It all began 10 years ago, with six computers, and 10 employees with computer skills. Now Bulacan has 12 servers, 299 computers, with 251 units connected to the local area network, and almost everyone has undergone computer training. It also has an entire department devoted to its system-wide, e-based information system.

A first-class province, Bulacan now has 19 information systems (see list). Among these is the real property tax information system, which provides an updated assessment of all real properties in Bulacan with a digital map to boot (even delinquent taxpayers can be spotted easily on a color-coded map). Tax collection has thus improved. Corruption has been reduced, especially since field appraisal assessments can now be generated in just five seconds.

The province also has a financial management information system (FMIS), used by the budget, treasury, and accounting offices in keeping track of all its financial transactions. One can see online the province’s procurements on supplies and medicines; biddings for roads, bridges, and other projects will soon be included.

Overall, these efforts have supposedly made transactions with the province more efficient, transparent, and accountable. But PCIJ learned that this isn’t necessarily true for some of its transactions.

Documents provided to the PCIJ show that last year, the province incurred a total of P19.92 million of budget overdraft for certain items. According to a veteran auditor, this means the province has “obligated more than its appropriation,” something which, the auditor says, could have been easily spotted with the capitol’s computerized operations.

Before any spending can happen, an obligation slip, which can be generated in a matter of three minutes through the FMIS, is issued. This obligation slip will show if there is an appropriation for a certain expenditure. If the budget for an expenditure — say travel — was exceeded, the local chief executive or the presiding officer of the sanggunian (council) must then request for a realignment so it could get the necessary funds from its other budgeted items.

It’s not clear whether anyone generated obligation slips for items such as seminars and trainings, office supplies, and transportation expenses, which were among those that led to overdrafts in the budget. The items in question were meant for the governor’s office and other offices under her, as well as for two legislative branch offices. A council member does say, though, that no requests were made for any realignment for such items. Instead, the provincial council passed a resolution authorizing the provincial accountant to close the book of accounts for 2006, automatically charging the overdraft to items with savings.

This not only defeats the purpose of having the much-vaunted FMIS as a monitoring system; according to the government auditor, incurring obligations for items without appropriation and without seeking the council’s approval to authorize any realignment is “not a good indicator of controls.” In other words, the council was reduced to a mere “rubber stamp.”

Then again, recent experience by the PCIJ also showed that the capitol’s claim that with computerization, “every citizen can be our COA,” is not exactly accurate. At the very least, accessing basic documents like the annual budget could be difficult, even though Governor Josie de la Cruz herself has said that anyone can go straight to their offices and review their books, and better yet, see it all online.

A Bulacan-based journalist says there was a time when budget documents were “simply everywhere.” But when his publication tried getting the 2005 budget, they were given an inch of a yellow paper with handwritten figures for only three items.

“That’s computerization and transparency right there,” comments the journalist.

When PCIJ tried getting a copy of the latest budget, the budget office could not show any document, not even a summary. The department head wasn’t around at that time and the staff said a request letter was needed before it could be released.

The provincial accountant was just as wary. When asked for its summary of income and expenses and other financial statements for the past years to present, the accountant said the data could not be easily generated. Only the summary for its 2005 expenses was given, and it took some prodding before it was shown. The PCIJ was not allowed to review the entire 2005 report.

It was only on the PCIJ’s second visit when the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of income and expenses dating back to 2003 (again records of previous years weren’t readily available) were given.

Actually, these documents can be seen in the annual reports of the Commission on Audit. The budget and the financial statements (the latest of which are still being uploaded) are also online at www.bulacan.gov.ph. Supposedly, these are accessible to everyone. In reality, one needs a user name and password to be able to see these pages. The information technology head, however, says they intend to make these public by August.

The governor explains that they recently had “to caution people about being careful” with allowing the public to access data because of the way information “is being twisted by our opponents.”

“It’s not that we’re hiding anything,” she says, “but it’s really just that I think they’re avoiding unnecessary problems.” Just before the 2004 elections, there were allegations that the capitol was suffering from debts.

“Maybe because you’re media (that’s why) they’re reluctant,” she offers.

Source: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

2005

Books and school buildings alone do not make a learned child. Bulacan learned this the hard way when results of the National Education Achievement Test (NEAT) given to public elementary school students came back with horrendous results.

In 2000, a typical student from Bulacan showed a report card that would make his mother weep: a rating of 39.40% in Math and a slightly better 40.23% in English. The national averages were hardly any better at 50% and 52% but with this dismal performance, Bulakeño students were already scraping the bottom of the pan.

Jolted to its feet, the provincial government turned the educational system inside out to determine what’s causing poor reading, computational skills, and dismal comprehension in Bulacan’s 496 schools. They found out a crucial cog to a child’s learning wheel was missing: the parents.

“Parents take the first responsibility to educate their children, not the teachers, not DepEd,” said Governor Josefina M. dela Cruz. Project JOSIE (for Joint Systems Improvement in Education) was thus launched in February 2001 to address the issue. It had two objectives: improve learning competency in English and improve computational and comprehension skills in Math.

The project covered elementary school students from grades 1 to 6. From 2001 to 2004, it required P35 million in funding from the provincial government and grants.

A special workbook was developed for students, written by the teachers themselves. The books were designed to match local needs and cost only P23 compared to P120 in commercial bookstores.

Parents and teachers were linked in an organization called SAMAKKA (Samahan ng mga Magulang sa Karunungan at Kabutihan).

The 2003 NEAT results showered remarkable improvement in learning performance: 76% in reading skills and 72% in comprehension skills; and 82% in computational skills and 71.5% in mathematical comprehension skills.

Despite political wrangling in the province, Gov. dela Cruz is confident the project will outlive her term of office.

“Politicians will always listen to the people’s demands. Whoever succeeds me cannot ignore this project,” she said. “This is one project that has moved on its own in spite and despite me.”

This program is recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Programs in the 2005 Galing Pook Awards.

Source: Galing Pook

Asking a “probinsyano” micro-entrepreneur to adopt a professional business approach may very well be an uphill climb.

But Bulacan Gov. Josie de la Cruz has always believed that it could be done.

First, inspire them to earn their sense of pride. The Tatak Bulakenyo seal takes care of that.

Launched in 2003, Tatak Bulakenyo is an effort to generate market opportunities and livelihood for the province’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by enhancing the quality of local products.

Authentic Bulacan products with the special Tatak Bulakenyo seal is an imprimatur given to products that are ready for both the local and international markets.

Initially, seven priority products had been identified for product development under the Tatak Bulakenyo seal – pastillas de leche, minasa, inipit, ensaymada, longganisang Calumpit, tinapang bangus and kapeng Tagalog.

“These products have crossed the threshold of the nationwide market and can now enter the world market,” Gov. Josie de la Cruz confidently said. “There is a demand for them as the country’s major exports are now processed foods, ” she added.

But it was a long, steady rally towards today’s export-quality Tatak Bulakenyo products. Measures had to be taken to revolutionize Bulacan’s local MSMEs and their products.

“We wanted our entrepreneurs to adopt a professional approach,” said De la Cruz. To achieve this, the province has maximized its resources through the Provincial Cooperative and Economic Development Office (PCEDO), and the expertise of different partner agencies.

PCEDO has initiated a livelihood program, Kasulong sa Kabuhayan, which has granted some P5.8 million in loans to 78 MSMEs and 34 potential entrepreneurs.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provides assistance to MSMEs in the form of marketing, product development, financial brokering, technology upgrading, institutional development, human relations development, and database buildup.

The Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) assists entrepreneurs in product licensing, while the DOST provides product analysis services and packaging development.

The Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) also assists member entrepreneurs in business development and promotions, inter-agency coordination, businessmen education and membership development, as well as consultancy services.

With the help of the partner agencies, the produce of local entrepreneurs enrolled in the Product Development Program now benefit with a greater public appeal and a longer shelf life due to higher quality control standards and cutting edge packaging design. PCEDO also boosts the products’ marketability through promotions and trade fairs.

Today, Bulacan has the highest number of industry associations in the region. It boasts of 34,933 business name registrations, comprising a 30.37 percent share in the region. MSMEs generate P29 billion annually, contributing 11.86 percent to the region’s gross income. Bulacan’s MSMEs have also provided a total number of 190,156 jobs for its locals (Bulacan PCEDO).

Also in the pipeline is the multi-million, 560 sq.m. Bulacan Packaging Service and Toll Packing Center (BPSTPC), under construction at the former Ecology Center site in Malolos.

“The packaging center is really a milestone for our product development endeavors under the Tatak Bulakenyo label, “De la Cruz disclosed. “It will complement our livelihood programs for the Bulakeños, and in the long run, it is expected to increase income generation among the micro, small and medium enterprises.”

The BPSTPC will initially be operated by the provincial government, BCCI and the Bulacan State University, Packaging technology, technical support and supervision will be provided by the Packaging Research and Development Center (PRDC) and DOST Region III.

The packaging center was conceptualized through the support of the private sector headed by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries Vice President Dr. Raul Hernandez, former president of the World Packaging Corp.

The BPSTPC will be a venue for DOST-sponsored training seminars for packaging. It will also supply packaging materials and provide services such as label design, toll packaging for tropical fruit, juice/water in stand-up pouch and bottles, vacuum packaging, and single-serve pouch packaging. All materials and services will be charged at a “social cost” for Bulacan MSMEs. The BPSTPC will also be open to entrepreneurs from nearby provinces after operations transcend the transition period.

Source: PhilStar Global

2004

In 2000, Bulacan identified the following problems in local education: inadequate teaching competencies, lack of books and workbooks, low parent involvement in child learning process, ineffective monitoring of performances of pupils and teachers, and poor incentives and rewards for teachers. Ratings of Bulacan pupils in the 2000 national achievement tests were 39.40% in Math (as against the national 50%) and 40.23% in English (as against the national 52%).

To address the problem, the provincial LGU implemented the Project JOSIE. The program had trained 4,141 teachers in math and reading proficiency, trained 157 newly hired teachers and 526 school managers, conducted orientations on home-school collaboration for 247,825 parents, and trained 332 youth volunteers.

It had developed and distributed over 555,000 workbooks for Grades I-IV pupils, 9,600 manuals for teachers, and 248,000 manuals for parents. The program had given awards to 21 outstanding teachers, and incentives to 4,859 Grades I-III teachers, 496 school administrators, and 30 district supervisors.

There have been improvements in the performance of pupils, with proficiency level of 72.81% in the SY 2004-05 comprehensive English learning test for Region III. Bulacan has the lowest incidence of non-readers in English–1 for every 100 non-readers in the region. English proficiency of teachers also improved, with 64.48% during SY 2004-05 regional English assessment test. It is second to San Fernando City’s 69.99%.

Workbooks and manuals have reduced the clerical load of teachers. Parents’ participation in teaching-learning has been accepted in 496 schools. More parents are giving homework supervision to their children, attending school activities, and assuming leadership roles. There is high morale and motivation among teachers, administrators and parents due to community recognition of their roles.

This program is recognized as a Trailblazing Program, a finalist for the 2004 Galing Pook Awards.

Source: Galing Pook

2003

Women are all over the place in the province of Bulacan: in community assemblies, mobilization rallies, skills training centers, boardrooms and in the seats of power.

More than 100 women’s organizations are actively involved in provincial programs under the Panlalawigang Komisyon para sa Kababaihan ng Bulakan (PKKB). The women NGOs work together, use their resources, and tap external help to address the needs of the community.

PKBB was formed to establish a clear vision for women, ensure gender equality, provide women access to sociopolitical and economic opportunities, and utilize and hone their skills and abilities.

“We watched women NGOs grow from shy and unsure to aggressive and confident; from passive and tentative to proactive and assertive; from working alone to working in groups and networks,” says Bulacan Governor Josefina dela Cruz.

Prior to PKKB’s creation, women in the province suffered from gender bias and unequal treatment. Males dominated legislative and executive positions, raising the probability of bias in policy-making and relegating women’s concerns to the background. Incidents of violence against women were oftentimes unreported and unrecorded.

Now with PKKB, “women power” has emerged as an important catalyst in the development of Bulacan. Bulakeñas now actively take part in politics–from the Sangguniang Kabataan to the highest office in the provincial government.

“Women are now getting their chance to be elected and prove themselves worthy of serving the people,” says Governor dela Cruz whose ascendance to power also exemplified the emerging role of women in her province.

Every year, Bulacan pays tribute to the exemplary performance of women in various fields with the Gawad Medalyang Ginto (gold medal award) during the celebration of Women’s Day in March. Since 1997, nearly 300 women have already been given recognition in the provincial and municipal levels.

Seminars on women’s rights and empowerment provide women knowledge on handling cases of abuse and sexual harassment. Gender-sensitive trainings and orientations have become the norm–from the barangay down to the provincial levels.

To reach out to all Bulakeñas, PKKB assigned commissioners to the four districts of Bulacan. Women NGOs and associations are immersed in every district to aid women in the grassroots level. Twenty-two towns and two cities have already served as venues for advocacy activities on women’s rights, gender mainstreaming, strengthening the family and child, and maternal health issues.

PKKB also assists women’s groups in capability building, project conceptualization and in making government or private resources available. From 2002 to 2003 alone, there were 49 government projects for women amounting to P44.7 million.

PKKB has also created the Konsehong Pambayan Para sa Kababaihan (KPK) in seven pilot municipalities. KPK will be the commission’s counterpart in the municipal level. In 2004, PKKB plans to work with 15 municipalities and two cities.

Among the programs Bulakeñas have initiated under the PKKB is the Sikap-Angat Program where women NGOs help provide livelihood for the poorest of the poor. Under the program, called Sa Iyong Pag-iisa, May Kasama Ka, beneficiaries get to earn around P5,000 a month from selling fishball, giving manicure, and rendering other home services. In Marilao, the Women in Service for the Differently Abled of Marilao (Wisdom) was created to help poor children who have difficulty being accepted in regular schools and thus need special education.

Far from being typecast as the weaker sex, Bulakeñas are no longer taking a backseat when it comes to steering public and private sector-initiated programs. PKKB ensures that women will remain a driving force in Bulacan’s development.

This program is recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Programs in the 2003 Galing Pook Awards.

Source: Galing Pook

“Kasulong sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran, Tatak Bulakenyo” [Filipino]

Talumpati
ng
Kagalang-galang Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Pangulo ng Pilipinas
Sa pagtatapos na programa ng Peace and Development Summit “Kasulong sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran, Tatak Bulakenyo”

[Ipinahayag sa Regino Carmeli University Gymnasium, Brgy. Catmon Malolos City, Bulacan, ika 12 ng Nobyembre, 2003]

Maraming salamat.

Maraming salamat, Governor Josie de la Cruz.

‘Yung pagkuwento ni Josie tungkol sa akin, bagay na bagay para sa isang estudyanteng nagke-kuwento tungkol sa kanyang teacher.

Ako’y nagpapasalamat na tayo ay narito lahat. Salamat sa inyong napakainit na pagtanggap sa inyong lingkod at aking mga kasamahan ngayon.

Kasama ko ngayon ang ilan sa aking mga Cabinet member. Ang ating Cabinet officer for regional development sa Region III, si Richard Gordon, ang ating Secretary of Tourism. Nabanggit na ni Josie kanina si Secretary Michael Defensor, siya ‘yung ka-partner nitong ating lilipat na mula sa ating railroad. nandito rin, nandoon siya kasama ng mga media, inaalagaan n’ya, ini-entertain n’ya, ang ating Press Secretary, si Secretary Milt Alingod. At nandito ang isa sa aking tatlong Cabinet member mula sa Bulacan, si Secretary Lito Sarmiento. Nandito rin ang ating Presidential Assistant for North Luzon, si Rene Diaz.

Sabi nga ni Josie, ang dami-dami ko ng appointees mula sa Bulacan. Tatlong Cabinet member, maraming undersecretary, maraming importanteng director, at lately nag-appoint ako ng tatlong Sandiganbayan Justices, sabay-sabay, lahat taga-Bulacan. Si Judge Baldos, si Judge Jurado, at saka si Fiscal de la Cruz. Lahat Bulacan.

Kaya binabati ko lahat ng mga officials ng Bulacan na naririto ngayon. ‘Yung ating mga congressmen, ang congressman n’yo dito ay si Congressman Willy Alvarado. Siya ay… Inurong n’ya ‘yung kanyang pirma sa impeacment. nandito rin ‘yung aking kaibigan, dating Chief of Staff noong ako ay Vice President, si — kalahating Capampangan — si Congressman Willy Villarama. Narito ‘yung ating napakagandang dalawang mga congresswomen — si Lorna Silverio at saka si Nining Nicolas. At ‘yung ating Congressman sa party list, kinakatawan ang mga magsasaka ng butil, si Congressman Ben Cruz.

Gusto kong batiin ang ating host mayor, si Danny Domingo. Tama si Josie, pag malapit sa Pampanga ang Bulacan, nasisilip lahat ng nabibigay ko sa Pampanga. nasilip ninyo ‘yung San Fernando overpass. Mula sa San Fernando pumunta ako dito sa Bulacan, sa Baliuag. Tuloy, hiningan ako ng overpass para sa Malolos. At gaya nang sabi ni Josie, dumating kaagad, three days after ‘yung engineering team. At sabi ni Danny Domingo sa akin na nagsisimula na ‘yung mobilization.

Binabati ko lahat ng punongbayan ng Bulacan, ang dami-dami n’yong narito. Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat dahil kayo ay narito. At gusto ko ring batiin ‘yung ating mga nag-aalaga ng ating kapayapaan, si General Dominguez, si General Braganza, at saka si General Querol. Romy, ‘di ba Bulacan ka rin? Ah, pero si Vidal Querol, ‘yan, taga-Bulacan ‘yan.

And I would to greet the private sector. Kung nandito lang sana ang pangalan babatiin ko lahat pero nandito ang pangalan ni Rey Simbulan, ang Regional Director ng Luzon PCCI. At ang ating host sa eskwelahang ito. Thank you for receiving me for the second time, Sister Carmeli Catan, ang pangulo ng University of Regina Carmeli. Pagpasok ko nga hinahanap ko ‘yung mga estudyante eh. Nandoon sila. Kumusta kayo lahat. At mga napakaraming mga DepEd dito, binabati ko rin kayo lahat. Mga iba’t-ibang official — ay, magandang hapon sa inyong lahat.

At itong pagpupulong nating ito para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ay talagang tatak ng bulakenyo. Ang inyong pagmamahal sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ay katangiang pinatunayan na ninyo sa maraming makasaysayang pangyayari sa ating bansa kung saan naging mahalagang bahagi ang mga Bulakenyo.

Isa na nga dito, hindi natin makalimutan dahil ito ay isang pinagdidiriwang ng buong bansa, ay ‘yung Malolos Congress na bumuo ng unang Konstitusyon sa buong Asya — ang Malolos Constitution. Dito sa Malolos, dito sa Bulacan ipinakita ng mga Pilipino ang pagpapahalaga at paggalang sa Saligang Batas. Tamang-tama, naalaala natin ‘yon dahil itong pagpapahalaga sa ating saligang batas ay muling napatunayan sa Davide impeachment case, kung saan ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema base sa Konstitusyon ay inayunan at iginalang ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Kailangan talaga mayroon tayong rekonsilyasyon at panibagong pagkakaisa kung gusto nating sumulong ang bansa. Kailangan natin ang kapayapaan kung gusto nating kaunlaran para sa bansa. Para sa katahimikan ng pag-iisip ng taong bayan, dapat patahimikin na natin ang kontrobersiya ng krisis ng impeachement pagkatapos na resolbahan sa paraang maka-saligang batas. Lahat ng mga panig sa alitan ay kumilos na maka-bansa at tayo dapat tayo magkaisa at pasiglahin natin ang ating mga institusyong demokratiko kaysa pahinain pa sila.

Binubuksan ko muli ang sinsero at tahimik na pag-uusap sa lahat ng mga grupong may kinalaman, at inaasahan ko na pakikinggan nila ang panawagan sa maka-prinsipyong rekonsilyasyon. Itong maka-prinsipyong rekonsilyasyon ay talagang panawagan ng ating mga panahon. Hindi lamang ‘yung maka-prinsipyong rekonsilyasyon sa iba’t-ibang panig ng alitan sa nakaraang impeachment crisis kung hindi na rin ‘yung tuluyan rekonsilyasyon na hinahanap natin sa pamamagitan ng mga npa at ‘yung gobyerno, milf doon sa mindanao, ‘yung gobyerno, ‘yung mga importante rin ang rekonsilyasyon sa pamamagitan ng mga pwersa ng Edsa Dos at Edsa Tres. ‘Yan ang napakaimportanteng rekonsilyasyon na dapat habulin natin ngayon.

Ang taumbayan kasi ay kailangan makita ang pwersa nakakapag-kaisa kung hindi ang taong bayan mismo ang magwawatak-watak at hihina sa pagharap sa mga nakakasindak na hamon. Ang mga hamon natin, ang batayang hamon natin ay dalawa — pairalin ang kapayapaan, labanan ang kahirapan. Ang bansa ay kailangang mahilom sa pamamagitan ng pinagkaisang patriyotismo at damdaming tungkulin maging mga lider, maging sambayanan.

Ako sa mga nakaraang krisis, nakaraang krisis ng impeachment, habang tumutulong makahanap ng solusyon sa paraang magpairal ng dignidad ng mga dakilang institusyon ng ating pamahalan, tuloy-tuloy ang ating higit na pansin sa mga serbisyong pang-kalakalan at pang-kabuhayan. Dahil hindi naman pwedeng tumigil ang pagtakbo ng ating bansa porke’t lamang may alitan o hidwaan.

Sinisikap kasi natin magkaroon ng malakas na republika. Salamat na lamang na sa matagal na problema natin ay meron tayong mga nakakamit. Matagal na nating problema ang pagpapasigla ng ating ekonomiya dahil ang pagpasigla ng ekonomiya ay siya ang solusyon sa kahirapan. Kaya kaunlaran ‘yung pinag-uusapan natin sa summit na ito. Mabuti na lamang na sa gitna ng impeachment crisis noon pa tumaas ang ating stock market sa pinakamataas na sigla sa loob ng nakaraang dalawampung buwan. Ibig sabihin noon nandiyan pa rin ang tiwala ng mga nagnenegosyo sa ating bansa. At sa maikling panahon, marami tayong naitaguyod. Itong mga magkakaroon ng bagong buhay at bagong bahay, sila ay bahagi ng naitaguyod nating pinakamalaking housing program at land tenure program sa maralitang taga-lungsod sa buong kasaysayan. Maraming mahihirap, hindi lamang itong mga ladies nating naka-berde sa kanan ko ang nabigyan ng karapatang magkaroon ng bagong tahanan at nabigyang karapatang bilhin ang lupang tinitirikan. At ito ay… Ang dami noon dahil limampung taon, tatlumpung taon na naghihintay. Ang dami ko nang nakitang umiiyak dahil hindi nila naisip na mangyayari ito sa wakas, pero nangyari sa ating administrasyon.

‘Yung bigas, ‘yung isda, ‘yung parating binibili ng mahihirap, hanggang ngayon napapanatili pa rin natin ang presyo ng pagkaing binibili ng mahihirap. At ang koleksiyon ng ating buwis, lumalakas, dahil inayos natin ang sistema ng koleksiyon, kasama na ang lifestyle checks at iba pang mga panlaban sa katiwalian. At dahil na rin sa magandang mga batas na ginawa ng Congress tungkol sa ayos ng ating sistema ng koleksiyon ng buwis. Kaya, congratulations sa ating limang congressman na narito ngayon.

Sabihin man ng mga nagbabatikos, kung ano ang sasabihin nila, ang ating GNP growth rate noong itong taong ito ang pinakamataas na nakamit natin mula noong ating 1997 Asian financial crisis. At sabihin man — kung ano ang sasabihin ng mga nagbabatikos sa atin — dalawampu’t isang ekonomiya sa Asia-Pacific o APEC, sa dalawampu’t isang ekonomiya, ang ating growth itong taon ay pang-anim sa lahat sa dalawampu’t isa. Ibig sabihin nun hambing sa labinglima sa ating mga karatig ekonomiya sa Asia at Pacific ay mas maganda ang ating performance.

Ngunit kahit mas maganda ang ating performance kumpara sa ating mga karatig-bansa at ito ay totoo sa nakalipas na dalawa at kalahating taon ng aking administrasyon, ang mga bansang ito sa aking pagbibisita at pag-uusap ay nagsisimula na muling umahon. Kaya sa pagkakataong ito dapat hindi nila tayong maiwan pag-ahon nila.

Kaya ito ang mga kailangan nating gawin. Maging sa paglaban sa krimen lalo na sa laban sa iligal na droga meron tayong mga importanteng tagumpay. Nagpapasalamat ako sa nalaman ko kanina kay Josie na doon sa Doña Remedios Trinidad magkakaroon ng rehabilitation center para sa ating mga drug addiction victims. Ito ay ngo-initiated, kaya mabuhay ang mga bulakenyong NGO at private sector. Malubha ang problema ng droga kaya ‘yon ay isa sa mga batayan ng performance ng ating mga pulis, chief at police director.

Kahapon, ang mga pulis ay nakahuli ng ini-smuggle na drogang halagang isang bilyong piso pagkatapos nang masinsinang intelligence operations diyaan sa inyong karatig-bayan, sa Valenzuela. Ito ay napakaimportante. Kasi noong unang tatlong buwan ng ating panibagong paglalaban kontra sa droga pagkatapos ng ating State of the Nation Address ay marami na tayong mga drug bust sa mga drug lord na noong araw ay untouchable. Marami tayong mga pabrikang nasarado ng shabu kaya naging mahal ang shabu sa kalsada. Ngunit ganunpaman, kahit na naging mahal, tumaas nang five times, meron pa rin. Eh, kung nasarado na ang mga pabrika, saan nanggagaling ‘yon? Nanggagaling sa importation, nanggagaling sa smuggling. Kaya doon natin nilagay ang ating detective work. At kahapon doon sa isang pabrika nahuli, nakalagay pala sa ilalim ng sofa, furniture imports kunyari. At doon nga, one billion pesos ang drogang nahanap. Pinakamabisa, pinakamabungang drug bust sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa.

At dito sa Bulacan, alam kong abala kayo sa problema ng droga. Alam ko na ang mga barangay dito sa Bulacan ay hindi magpapaiwan sa kampanyang ito. Nalaman ko na pati ang mga Homeowners Association dito sa Bulacan ay gustong tumulong. Talagang kailangan ko ang inyong tulong. Maganda ‘yan, religious ngo nagtatayo ng drug rehab center. Homeowners Association, private sector sumasama sa paghanap ng mga drug pushers. Maganda ‘yan at dapat tularan ng mga kaparehong asosasyon at ngo sa ibang lugar. Huwaran talaga ang Bulacan.

Sa buong Pilipinas, talagang meron tayong maraming tagumpay tungkol sa kapayapaan. Napahina rin natin ang Abu Sayyaf. Nabasa ko sa peryodiko, isa doon sa mga main leaders ng kidnapping nung Sipadan pa noon panahong year 2000 ay nasugpo ng ating mga sundalo. At puspusang kinakampanya nating madakip ang mga kasapi ng Jemaah Islamiyah, para sa ganun ay masugpo sila bago sila kumalat hanggang dito sa Luzon at Bulacan.

Ang pamahalaan ay nagsisikap na gawin ang lahat ng ito para sa lahat ng Pilipino, dahil gaya nang sabi ng inyong tema ng inyong summit kailangan ang kapayapaan para sa kaunlaran. At ginagawa natin ito lalung-lalo na sa ating mga kabataan, tulad ng kabataan dito sa eskwelahang ito, ‘yung nasa kaliwa ko dahil kayo ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa.

Dito sa Bulacan, nagkaroon nga kayo ng summit, may ilang mga… Si Josie ang kailangang sasagot. Ngunit meron ding ilang nakita ko na may kinalaman ang national government. ‘Yung iba pinag-aaralan — lahat nga pinag-aaralan — pero meron akong tatlong nakita na medyo dapat siguro bigyan na ng anunsiyo ngayon pa man. O, bakit dalawa na lang ito? Ayun. Hindi. Ah, ayun, ayun. Okey. Ano kaya ang uunahin ko dito?

Ah, gusto kong batiin ang bulacan kasi ang gaganda ng mga produkto ninyo, lalong gaganda sa packaging na ginagawang tulong ni Raul Hernandez dito sa Bulacan. At dahil napag-usapan natin ‘yung pangangalakal ng Bulacan, ‘yung North Food Exchange, sabi ni Josie anim na taon na n’yang linalakad kaya talagang kailangan karanasan at panahon para matupad. And may anim na taon, kaya inuutos ko ang TESDA, NEDA, Foreign Affairs — nandito ‘yung anak ni ka Blas Ople. Ay, hi! Si Felix Ople — at ang DOST na tulungan ang probinsiya ng Bulacan para pabilisan, pabilisan ang information component ng North Food Exchange.

Ngayon, alam n’yo ang Bulacan malapit hindi lamang sa aking ama, kungdi sa akin, kundi na rin sa aking ama. At panahon ng aking tatay, parating kinikuwento sa akin ni Mayor De Leon pag nagpupunta ako doon — noong una pang panahon ng aking pagpupunta doon — “ang tatay mo ang nagbigay ng patubig dito sa Bulacan, sa Angat.” eh, ngayon mukhang kailangan nang panibagong trabaho sa Angat. Kaya nalaman ko meron pala noong 1992 pa isang MOU sa pamamagitan ng MWSS at saka Provincial Government of Bulacan kung papano ma-allocate ang tubig ng angat. Eh, dapat naman siguro ang MWSS, 1992 pa ‘yon — ‘yan ang problema pagpalit nang palit ng pangulo eh — mabuti na lang, na-research natin sa pamamagitan nitong summit na ‘to. Kaya inuutusan ko ‘yung MWSS na balikan itong 1992 MOU kasama ng probinsiya ng bulacan at tignan kung papano matupad itong allocation na ito.

Tapos ‘yung pangatlo. Merong Bayabas Dam Project, sa DRT na naman. Ano ba itong DRT? At merong… Kasi nga may problema kayo ng patubig at merong rekomendasyon na gumawa ako ng Executive Committee na siya ang mag-o-oversee ng build-operate-and-transfer implementation ng Bayabas Dam. Gumawa raw ako ng Inter-Agency Committee. Hindi ako naniniwala sa committee eh. Naniniwala ako sa isang tao lamang dapat nag-o-oversee o isang kagawaran. Kaya itong Memorandum Order na sinasabing “create an inter-agency committee to oversee the build-operate-and-transfer implementation of the Bayabas dam.” papalitan ko itong Memorandum Order. Sasabihin ko “Authorizing the Governor of Bulacan to oversee the B-O-T transfer.”

Importante talaga na tayo ay nagkakasama para matugunan itong mga pangangailangan. Madali mag-usap ng prinsipyo at saka theory eh. Madali magbatikos kung ano ang masamang ginagawa o pangit na ginagawa o mali. Pero mahirap ang magpatupad — execution. At ‘yang execution ay nanggagaling sa karanasan, sa alam natin kung saan-saan ang mga papeles naghahanap, ‘yan ang tinatawag na bahagi ng learning curve. At ang masasabi natin, itong ginanap natin sa ating summit na ito, ‘yan ay isang malaking tutulong sa tagumpay para maunawaan natin ang kailangang gawin para sa pangunahing lalawigan ng Bulacan, na siya rin kung kayo ay maunlad, maunlad ang buong Pilipinas.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

Source: Official Gazette

2002

For a petite woman, Bulacan governor Josefina dela Cruz packs a lot of dynamism and passion, not to mention, sense.

Unlike the traditional politicians who want their constituents to be heard only come election time, Governor dela Cruz is feedback-crazy.

“Ang hirap sa politico, napapaligiran kami ng mga sipsip. Hindi tuloy namin nalalaman kung ano ang tama. (Our problem as politicians is that we are surrounded by people who always want to please us. We have no way of knowing what’s right.),” she says.

These people, she says, understandably have their own vested interests and agendas. They isolate the politicians from their constituency, and render policy making a hit-or-miss affair.

“We wanted something more scientific… The sentiment of those who speak is not necessarily the sentiment of those who choose to be quiet. So our dilemma is, how do we know what the people really want?” she argues.

Under the Constituent Responsive Governance Project, the Bulacan provincial government used the survey research method to get a truly representative citizen’s feedback on projects. By doing so, chances for costly mistakes are minimized.

Four programs and projects were pre-tested: the health insurance program, solid waste disposal, feedback on real property tax billing statement, and the acceptability of a community radio. In each case, the provincial government found that the surveys lessened the chance for mistakes.

A case in point is health insurance. The survey showed only 35% of Bulacan households were aware of what health insurance was all about yet some were still not insured. This showed the need for a health insurance system in the province. However, respondents were concerned about the premiums they have to shell out every month and the extent of coverage for the beneficiaries. Thus, they were also polled on the price they were willing to pay for health insurance.

Based on these findings, the provincial government launched on February 24, 2000 the “Medicare Para sa Masa, Kalusugan Mo Katulong Ako” program. The local government, however, chose not to heed one of the findings in the survey: for the province to set up its own health insurance system instead of getting Philhealth,the national healthcare provider.

Two years after the program was launched, the provincial government realized the high cost it is paying for Philhealth premiums. The governor now regrets the decision to go on with the program against the findings of the survey.

Another poll was on the acceptability of the community radio station. Through pre-testing, the provincial government found out that while most Bulakeños get their information from the radio, they tune in to stations that have music, as well as news and information. This enabled the provincial government to change the station’s programming to suit its constituency’s tastes and lifestyles.

Through the survey research method, Bulacan has placed project planning into a higher plane, one that sets aside political interests.

“Surveys make decisions apolitical,” Governor dela Cruz says. Proof that it is not politically costly, she says, is the fact that “I’m still here.”

This program is recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Programs in the 2002 Galing Pook Awards.

Source: Galing Pook

The Senate and leading academic institutions honored recently the first winners of the newly launched Local Government Leadership Award during ceremonies that coincided with the celebration of the Senate’s 86th anniversary.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., acknowledged as the father of the Local Government Code, said the award honors and recognizes local leaders and the exemplary role they have played in local governance within the last 11 years of decentralization.

The winners of the first LGL Award were Bulacan Gov. Josefina de la Cruz, most outstanding governor; Mayors Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City and Franklin Quijano of Iligan City, most outstanding city mayors; and Concepcion (Iloilo) Mayor Raul Banias, most outstanding municipal mayor.

De la Cruz finished management engineering, cum laude, and psychology, magna cum laude, both at the Ateneo de Manila. During her term as Bulacan governor, she won the Konrad Adenauer Local Government Award (1999), Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in Population Development (1999), Gawad Galing Pook Award for Reinventing Public Service (2000) and Lingkod ng Bayan (2000).

Osmeña, younger brother of Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, is also a recipient of several national awards for tourism, street children programs, computerization, countryside development and anti-drug programs.

Quijano, the son of a mechanic and a public school teacher, was a consistent honor student during his school days. He finished Economics, cum laude at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. As Iligan City mayor, he transformed the city with his numerous projects, including the integrated bus terminal, road widening, overpass and drainage improvement and urban poor housing. Under his term, marginalized sectors were organized and federated, and livelihood and agriculture were given added attention.

Banias is on his second term as mayor of Concepcion, Iloilo. After finishing his studies in medicine, he volunteered in a medical outreach program in Concepcion and that started his career as a public servant. He won as No. 1 councilor of the town in 1992 in his very first stint in politics although he ran as independent. He won unopposed as vice mayor in 1995.

The winners were given P100,000 each. Senate President Franklin Drilon sweetened the award by announcing that they, along with their fellow finalists in the search would have added benefits via the Priority Area Development Fund of senators.

As directed by Drilon, each of the four governor finalists would get P2 million worth of projects; each of the five city mayor finalists, P1 million in projects; and each of the 10 municipal mayor finalists, P500,000.

Dela Cruz’s fellow finalists were Governors Isagani Amatong of Zamboanga del Norte, Bartolome Marasigan of Oriental Mindoro, and Leonardo Roman of Bataan.

The fellow finalists of Quijano and Osmeña were Mayors Santiago Barcelona of Escalante City, Albert Raymund Garcia of Balanga City, and Randolph Ting of Tuguegarao City. — Efren Danao

Source: PhilStar Global