LEGISLATIVE THRUSTS for CY 2002

The Sangguniang Bayan’s priority thrusts for CY 2002 are: The adoption and virtual enactment of resolutions and ordinances designed towards comprehensive development and rehabilitation, and; the strict monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of scheduled programs and projects funded under the 20% Development Fund.

With the people’s welfare foremost in their priority, the SB insinuates the improvement of the provision of basic services towards the general citizenry thereby, enabling them to fulfill duties vested in them by the electorate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The LGU of the Municipality of Caoayan has undertaken the implementation of various infrastructure projects and repair of public and governmental facilities like the rehabilitation of damaged roads and the construction of new additional peripheries; the construction and completion of Barangay Day Care Centers and Barangay Multi-Purpose Halls; the inevitable completion / expansion of the Caoayan National High School (situated in Barangay Pandan); and the construction of drainage systems and canals in order to avert the ill-effects of perennial flooding. As a means to alleviate the burdens of farmers, multi-purpose pavements were also constructed as solar dryers and/or post-harvest facilities. The RA 7171 Fund funded majority of these infrastructural undertakings. In the works are the Sea Wall Construction and the River Flood Control / Protection in Barangays Fuerte and Pantay Tamurong respectively. The municipality is now waiting for the approval of said projects applied with the Department of Finance- LOGOFIND Division. These programs were designed to:

   > Arrest the present erosion rates at the concerned sites of both barangays

   > Instill a sense of security for the residents of both barangays as far as lives and property are concerned

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

As a coastal municipality, the municipality’s awareness was intensified regarding the ill effects of illegal fishing and subsequently, the deterioration of the flora and fauna of our aquatic resources, and their rehabilitation. As a result, the “Color Coding” Ordinance regarding motor banca operations was implemented. Clearly, the Municipal Mayor also made adequate memoranda for all barangays to maintain their Clean and Green drive. In this regard, the top five (5) barangays that showed enthusiasm in this movement were adjudged as winners during the town fiesta last November. The Barangay Governance and Development Program also was utilized as the venue for establishing people’s consciousness on Mother Nature. In cooperation with the DENR, the Mangrove Plantation in Barangay Villamar is being maintained to serve as sanctuary to various species of fish, mollusks, crustaceans and other marine life.

LOCAL GOVERNANCE

The Caoayan LGU also was obsessed with the professional and personal development of its rank and file. Contingents were sent to various seminars and forums especially those initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government. Department heads and office chiefs were supported in as far as their quest for professional excellence was concerned, with particulars on administrative capabilities and/or capacities. As an obvious result, some critics implied a degree of satisfaction on the improvement of more quality service to clients in particular and the citizenry in general. The 5S Productivity Seminar was held for all municipal officials and employees to enhance their personal growth and career development.

COMMERCE, TRADE and INDUSTRY

Agriculture, fisheries and loom weaving; being the primary sources of income of Caoayan, were viably supported by the LGU. Continuous provision of loans for this purpose was undertaken. Vis-à-vis with infrastructure programs, farm-to-market roads were rehabilitated to expedite the marketing process of agricultural produce, ditto with the standardization of the prices of agricultural produce. Cooperatives and other NGO groups were motivated to accredit their respective organizations also for the said purpose.

AGRICULTURE

With the new administration’s mission/vision on self-reliance and self-sufficiency, the agricultural sector was strengthened. There was a phenomenal increase in the harvest of yellow corn and the local variety of onions (shallots) and the production of certain vegetable varieties which has long been dwindling since. Technology on the other hand, has been adeptly introduced. The Department of Agriculture has provided insights and inputs to farmers with regards to new hybrid crops especially Oryza varieties. Conventional systems and processes of farming were intermingled with newer standards through the establishment of demonstration farms. Gintong Masaganang Ani, a national agricultural program, was implemented and the municipality also participated in the Bagsakan project of the provincial government, where the agricultural produce of particular town clusters are showcased.

TOURISM

The ratification of the cityhood of Vigan, the adjacent provincial capital, stirred the knack of the LGU to develop tourism as a possible income-generating aspect of the municipality. Ramifications of business spillover from Vigan City are quite possible and tourists tend to flock to Caoayan’s beaches. Along this line, the LGU has initiated tourism development in order to get ready for the influx of this new development.

PEACE AND ORDER

The municipality has enjoyed a generally peaceful and orderly climate through the years. Nevertheless, the PNP needs every support it can get from the LGU. Through this, the municipal government has lent a helping hand to the police, both in statistics and logistics. As a coastal municipality, security was beefed up with regards to smuggling and the illegal entry of contrabands. Apprehensions were made on cases of illegal fishing. Although the menace of illegal drugs remain in the horizon, threatening to corrupt the municipality’s moral / social fiber, it has been adequately contained with specific anti-illegal drug campaigns by the LGU in conjunction with the PNP.

EDUCATION

The municipality now boasts of having three (3) secondary schools. The LGU has also put priority on education as one of the basic needs of the youth. The Special Education Fund (SEF) has been made available to the Caoayan District for their specific needs and other concerns. By sponsoring education-related activities like Quiz Bees, Poster Slogans and Non-Formal Education Programs, the municipal government had shown its concern for those who are mentally-gifted but economically wanting.