Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. delivers his SOPA to the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, municipal and barangay officials including representatives from the partner line agencies and private sectors.

Bontoc – “Excellence defines good governance and behind excellence is shared or collaborative governance.”

This was part of the opening statement of of Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. in his 2020 Address to the 10th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Mountain Province, dubbed, “State of the Province Address (SOPA), as he stressed on the continuous strengthening of partnership between the Provincial Government and all other government and non-government sectors or agencies to pave the way for the successful implementation of the projects, programs and activities of the provincial government.

Among the highlights of the annual report are the regional and national recognitions that the province received last year.

“Highlighting and summarizing the accomplishments of the provincial government are four national awards which did not only showcase the capability of our Provincial Government to meet national standards but also, such have proven that we can be at par with our counterparts and even excel in our performance as an LGU despite our limited resources,” Lacwasan said.

In August 2019, the Provincial Government was recognized and accorded the 2019 National Kabalikat Award for its deep commitment in the promotion of technical-vocational education and training, its significant contributions to the development of the Cordillera’s skilled manpower and for continuously upholding the standards of skills excellence and appropriate work ethics.

Also, on October 23, 2019, the Provincial Accounting Office (PAccO) has been awarded as one of the 2019 Outstanding Provincial Accounting Office nationwide by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines. The PLGU’s Accounting Office was the lone awardee from CAR and was also one among the only three PLGU awardees nationwide.

Moreover, both the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), just like the PAccO, were the only awardees from CAR in their respective categories. In the national awards level, MP-PDRRMC is one of the only two PDRRMC national finalists wherein it landed second place. Also, the PADAC is among the few provincial ADAC awardees that got ideal performance award for being 100% compliant to said award’s criteria by the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

According to the governor, the awards closely summarized his administration’s accomplishment as a whole as the criteria set by the award bodies are part and parcel of the core and essential assessment areas of the Seal of Good Local Governance by the DILG, particularly on Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection and Peace and Order.

“I would like to commend the efforts of everyone for without the cooperation of all offices and special bodies’ members, we could not have satisfied all the criteria or standards set by the award-giving bodies,” Lacwasan said.

Moreover, the governor emphasized on the support of the members of Sanggunniang Panlalawigan to the implementation of the current administration’s special programs under its renowned mantra, “Barangay Muna.”

He said that under this program, many barangays, associations and individuals were assisted thru provisions of equipment and supplies and livelihood packages among others. He further said that under its special programs, the provincial government gave due attention to job-bridging programs which include OFW financial assistance and annual mobile passport services, scholarships and livelihood assistance as sort of poverty alleviation measures.

On top of the special programs, the governor also emphasized that the provincial government continued to level up the implementations of its regular programs. The governor said that the regional and national awards that were earlier mentioned proves that the employees are working together as a team.

“Given all these, we have done well as a province. However, the bigger challenge awaits- the sustainability of our performance as a whole local government unit and our ability to surpass our previous feats,” Lacwasan said.

In relation to this, the governor said that in preparation for 2020, the Provincial Government has conducted an assessment to measure its absorptive capacity. According to him, the activity determined the factors which affects the provision of basic services which are being accorded by the Provincial Government to its people and those which affect the implementation of programs, projects and activities. Meanwhile, the governor delivered his annual report in front of municipal and barangay officials including representatives from the partner agencies and private sectors during the first session of the Sanngunniang Panlalawigan on January 14, 2020 at the Multi-purpose Hall.