Despite CPDRC woes: Davide to get award for anti-drug campaign

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is among the 10 governors to be recognized by President Rodrigo Duterte for its campaign against illegal drugs.

"I'm elated to know that na-recognized ta sa national government and sa president mismo sa effort nato diri sa province," Davide said, adding that he didn't know there was such a list.

 Davide said that the province's fight against illegal drugs had been relentless despite some setbacks like the controversies hounding the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

In a recent raid, several contrabands, including illegal drugs, were found inside the provincial jail. He, however, assured that they will dig deeper into the jail issues.

 "We hope to eradicate drugs and attain drug-free environment inside jail facility," he said.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno has already submitted the list to the Malacañang. The other governors to be recognized include Jose Alvarez (Palawan), Eduardo Firmalo (Romblon), Alfredo Marañon (Negros Occidental), Faustino Dy III (Isabela), Junie Cua (Quirino), Edgardo Chatto (Bohol), Imee Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba (Agusan del Norte), and Daisy Avance-Fuentes (South Cotabato).

 Sueno said these governors have done "very good" in their provinces.

 "They are not only containing drugs in the provinces but the governors are also models in governance, transparency and good in disaster preparedness. They also made their provinces competitive in terms of business. Indeed they are model local executives," he said.

 He said the Duterte administration is not all about exposing the "bad" people but also the "good guys" in the government.

The governors were chosen in a three-stage screening process conducted by the DILG.

 Among the criteria DILG used in the first round of screening are the provincial government's record in good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection and environment management. Also, they were judged according to their relationship with the business sectors and their record in ensuring peace and order in their respective provinces.

 From 41 candidates, the list of honorees was trimmed down to 25 during the second stage, which includes disqualification of officials belonging to political dynasties and facing charges. The governors of 41 provinces had been previously awarded with the DILG's Seal of Good Local Governance.

 Only 25 governors made it to the third and last stage of vetting, where DILG field personnel were the ones providing feedback about the performance of their governors. Sueno also said they might release next week a list of good performing city mayors.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale yesterday clarified that the DILG and the Capitol has different scorecards in recognizing exemplary local government units in terms of governance, health and sanitation, education, among others.

Magpale made the explanation after some LGUs complained why they were given dismal rating by the provincial government even if they were awarded Seal of Good Local Governance by DILG.

"DILG has a checklist only kung naa ba aning nga programa ang usa ka LGU. Ang mahitabo, ang LGU magpanindot gyud sa ilang record. While the Cebu province is more detailed and we have evaluators to check kung tinuod ba gyud na ilang gisulti, " Magpale said.

"Mahug nga kami ang kontrabida kay some LGUs would complain to us nganong nahagbong sila sa among evaluation nga naa man silay award sa DILG," Magpale added.

  DILG is giving out awards to recognize deserving LGUs for its programs in peace and order, environmental management, business-friendliness and competitiveness. The Capitol, in partnership with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated, likewise, recognizes the municipalities and component cities under the Our Cebu Program.

It used to be E-Gwen program during the administration of then governor now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia. The said program aims to make Cebu an ideal place to live, work, play, invest and do business.

  In another development, the Capitol distributed yesterday over P12 million worth of abattoir equipment and ambulan-ces to different local government units and district hospitals.

 The equipment worth P6.2 million was given to 34 LGUs including the cities of Carcar, Danao Toledo, Bogo and Naga. The towns of San Fernando, Sibonga, Argao, Boljoon, Oslob, Dalaguete, Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Tuburan,  Bantayan, Borbon, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, San Francisco, Sogod, Tudela, Consolacion, Alegria,  Badian,  Dumanjug,  Malabuyoc and Moalboal.

 The four ambulances, on the other hand, were turned over to the province's district hospitals in the towns of Barili, Pinamungajan, Argao and Minglanilla. Each ambulance costs the government P1.5 million.

 Doctor Rose Vincoy, provincial veterinarian, said the province is currently in need of the said abattoir equipment since only 37 of 51 LGUs have slaughterhouses, which is required under the meat inspection code and local government code.

 "Some can't put up ihawan due to budgetary constraints, lack of equipment and area, among others," she said.

Since 2013, the province has spent around P16.8 million for the construction and improvement of slaughterhouses and procurement of equipment.  (FREEMAN)