Maliksi bares plans for Cavite to beat economic crisis

MANILA, Philippines – Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi recently delivered his State of the Province Address and enumerated plans to counter the effects of the global financial crisis in the province.

Addressing his constituents at the provincial gymnasium in Trece Martires City, Maliksi also expressed his determination to lead a new revolution in the province by during the remainder of his last term, calling on everyone to join the advocacy in line with the battle cry, “Cavite: Be part of the revolution!”

Foremost in his agenda to address the impact of the economic crunch, Maliksi announced the release of a P33.5-million stimulus fund for projects that will help those affected by layoffs and slowdown of factory operations.

As of February this year, more than 28,000 workers in Cavite have been affected by the economic crisis.

The provincial government has identified programs that will provide sources of livelihood for the displaced workers, including the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Disadvantaged Workers) program in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment that has granted P3.5 million.

Other measures include strengthening the agricultural sector by making use of idle lands for mass food production and tourism promotion.

Maliksi also gave a report on the Credit Cooperative Surety Fund Program of the provincial government in partnership with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that will give cooperatives access to funding through non-collateral loans.

The funds generated from the contributions of cooperatives, provincial government, Industrial Guarantee Loan Fund and the Development Bank of the Philippines has reached P18 million. BSP’s counterpart will be ten times the amount.

This year, a total of P46.75 million is ready for release to approved cooperatives and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In his speech, Maliksi reported the accomplishments of the provincial government in the previous years under his 12-point program for development.

He particularly mentioned the vigorous tax campaign that has resulted in a significant increase in revenue collection exceeding the target set by the provincial government.

In the last eight years of his term, Cavite’s income has been continuously growing at an average rate of 11.68 percent, ranking first in the Calabarzon region in gross income.

He also cited recent developments in major projects in the province, including the new Medical Arts Building inaugurated last January with President Arroyo as guest, the OB-Gyne Ward at the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital, and the 1,000 units in Pamayanang Maliksi: Cavite Mass Housing Project in Gen. Trias that will be ready for awarding in May.

Other projects are the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road extension and the Ternate-Nasugbu Road which are expected to be completed this year; the LRT Line South expansion project already submitted to NEDA for review; the flood mitigation project in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the Cavite reclamation project which involves the reclamation of an estimated 68-hectare portion of Bacoor Bay to be developed into a special economic zone.