“Maintaining Efficiency in Governance and

Sincerity in Public Service in a Trying Time”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

nother, stormy year is over, where various challenges and circumstances has made us wiser and stronger in facing trials as we continue to stand and traverse the path to peace, progress and development. Amidst the serious national leadership crisis, the spate of urban bombing by terrorists, the peace and order problem in Mindanao, the threat of global war and steep decline of our economy, we at the local government held on to our commitment and duty to provide good service and good governance to our constituents.

We deemed that even in the pace of trials, the needs of our people should not be compromised, thus, while the whole nation focus their attention the various national and global issues, our local government never flinched in its efforts to accomplished various social, infrastructure and livelihood projects for our constituents. The efficient performance, full cooperation and harmonious team working of many sectors of our local government, headed by Mayor Jose V. Bunoan, Jr., has increased our efficiency in rendering administrative services and providing the basic necessities to the people such as the administration of peace and order as well as justice in the entire municipality, health and nutrition services, social welfare and economic upliftment of the entire municipality. These are the results of increased tax collections, licensing, issuance of municipal permits and other revenue-generating operations as needed to augment our limited municipal budget.

All these notable accomplishments were achieved through the skillful management of the local chief executive with the cooperation of the different department heads and their constituents and most of all strengthened by the trust and confidence of the people.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

The steep decline of our economy was felt everywhere most especially our revenue collection agencies. However, we are proud to say that all the lined-up programs and projects were successfully accomplished under a more strict and prudent budgetary allocations of the different departments of the municipal government. The implementation of cost reduction measures in our operation, prioritizing necessary expenditures, strategic planning for intensive revenue collections as well as the eradication of red tape in all levels of bureaucracy have all been our instruments in our collection efforts. Thus, we were able to overcome our estimated budget for this year 2002 which is Php 6, 597,700.00. We have increased our collection from Php 6.9 million last year to Php 7.6 million of this year, an increase of 10.5%. We also tapped various alternative funding sources (i.e. share in the tobacco excise tax Ra 7171, 20% development fund and the Department of Agriculture). Through all these, not to mention our human resources, have in one way or another are all contributors to the accomplishments of our projects.

AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOOD

Consistent with our government’s food security program, assistance to food and aquaculture producers were given to upgrade and increase their production, these were spearheaded by the municipal Agricultural Office – the livelihood sector. Under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program, the agricultural sector increased their production more than their target for this year 2002. this is due to their continuous effort to educate the farmers thru seminars, farm demonstrations and trainings to help them upgrade their farming systems and make use of better and sustainable technologies to increase production. Through the assistance of the DA, production, procurement, distribution of seeds and planting materials have become a lesser burden to the farmers as seeds and seedlings become readily available to them. The municipal government also encouraged background gardening and tree planting among local residents by distributing vegetable seeds and the maintenance of a municipal plant nursery to serve the needs of the individual and civic organizations in their greening and beautification programs. Another aspect that were given emphasis is soil conservation measure thru organic farming, soil analysis services which would likewise of vital importance in increasing crop production.

In the areas of livestock production, there were 297 farmers who were trained on production and livestock health management. They were formally oriented in the production and dissemination of improved technologies in animal production, health care disease management. Vaccines, dewormers, antibiotics, vitamins, antiseptics, alfacion were procured as technical assistance to livestock breeders and raisers, these of course will upgrade livestock production. In the fishery sector, aquaculture development programs include establishment of fish cages wherein there are 36 fish farmers adopters, fish ponds with 45 fish – farmers being served; the tilapia breeding area which is 12 ha. Has served 81 fish – farmers and the tilapia fingerling dispersal benefiting 65 fish – farmers. All were established in different fresh water areas of the municipality to improve the lives of the fishing populace.

In terms of infrastructure programs, the Department of Agriculture has released funds amounting to Php 2 million from NMIC for the construction of the Municipal Abattoir and another Php 1 million from the DA – RFU – LGU to pave farm-to-market roads in Brgy. Tarangotong. Thus, we could say that in terms of food production, farm products distribution, the agriculture sector is a backbone in keeping our local economy at a stable state.

To be able to sustain the massive development efforts on the Agricultural sector, however, more friends should be infused particularly in the improvement of irrigation system, water resources, procurement of veterinary product and medicines, and the promotion of organic farming. There is the need to empower non-government organization under the DA to improve organizational set-ups and increase their entrepreneurial capabilities.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIO-CIVIC SERVICES

Inspired with the ideal vision to make Tagudin a sustainable growth center of Ilocos Sur, the local chief executive together with his constituents in tandem with the Office of the Municipal Engineer and the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator can proudly say we have commendable accomplishments in terms of infrastructure projects and socio-civic services – almost 99% of farm-to-market roads have been paved and concreted which made farm products more accessible to consumers, enabling faster mobilization of basic goods and services to and from various barangays leading to the generation of more income thus ensuring better livelihood to the town folks. Thus, the people now enjoy these developments and can fully participate in the political, social, and economical activities of the government. The construction of various multi-purpose pavements and halls, rehabilitation and repair of existing school buildings in various barangay elementary schools funded by RA 7171 municipal and congressional shares as well as the Special Education Fund have been completed. From the 20% development fund, barangays Tampugo, Garitan, Lubnac, Malacañang and San Miguel now enjoy ample supply of portable water. The municipal abattoir is no ready for full operation after its completion. Its funding comes from the DA – NMIC.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE

The local administration believes that the real strength of a community is in a physically, socially and emotionally healthy populace that is why alongside efforts in food and livelihood production and infrastructure were meaningful health and social welfare programs under the Municipal Heath Office and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

Equipped with improved clinical facilities roofed under our newly constructed Municipal Health Center enabled our health officers to provide wider range of medical services and assistance to the people such as consultations, medical treatment and disease detection and prevention. Such services resulted in the decline of death cases in adult and children which means that the health status of the community is improving. The improvement may also be attributed to the various health related projects of the municipality aimed at providing cleaner environment for the people. Programs such as operation timbang, periodic inspection of food establishments and issuance of sanitary permits, Balik-Patak nutrition program, medical missions, Garantisadong Pambata – Feeding Programs, Disease Prevention seminars to different Barangays, the barangay clinic, fogging of residential homes and schools, Patal – Asin, free Cataract Opretaion were carried out successfully as scheduled. The continuous education through seminars, lectures and updates by the health staff made each member of the health unit more knowledgeable in carrying out ones mission of giving health care to the people.

This is a fortunate year for us in Tagudin that no serious calamity struck our town so that most of the programs of the MSWDO were focused on welfare programs for the community, and the families as most of the projects implemented were on child, youth, women, the senior citizens and the disabled person’s welfare. Child nutrition and early education were given priority by the MSWDO through the maintenance of Day Care Centers and lining up the programs for the child and youth welfare. In cases of emergency, the MSWDO has released the amount of P 89, 300.00 in assistance to 78 families during crisis situation, P 4,000.00 as emergency shelter assistance, P 56,520.00 as supplemental feedings assistance to malnourished children. Under the Bureau of Senior Citizens Welfare, series of activities were lined-up to fully activate and involve them in income generation schemes. They had the Senior Citizens Day Program and full operation of Tagudin Senior Citizens Drugstore, the Self-employment programs have helped each member become self-reliant in their needs of old age. One of their projects for this year 2002 was a mini-tractor under the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services Program. Barangay Pudoc West was the beneficiary of the said program. The Alay Pasko Program last December 18 wherein disabled persons from various barangays were given gifts was a joint project of MSWDO and the Federated NGO of Tagudin.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PEACE AND ORDER

The maintenance of peace and order in the community and the administration of justice is a primordial responsibility of the government. Our people have to be amply protected from any criminal elements and violence so that they can effectively participate in developing the community. The Tagudin PNP unit has effectively responded to the requirements of law enforcement and administration of peace and order in the community. In pursuant to the order of the president of the Philippines to curb illegal gambling, jueteng was totally eradicated after the arrest of several jueteng agents. Raids were courageously done to several-suspected drug pushers after thorough observation and investigation made by police intelligence officers. All other incidents such as homicides due to reckless imprudence, estafa cases, illegal possession of firearms, theft that were registered were one of the lowest in Ilocos Sur. All these were pursued resolved and were turned over to court for proper disposition.

To effectively combat lawlessness in the community, the Tagudin PNP urged the participation and cooperation of the civil society. The citizens were encouraged to participate in the vital task of crime prevention through the PNP sponsored “Pulong-pulong dialogues in various barangays which participated in by barangay officials and barangay tanods. The role of each in maintaining peace and order were given emphasis. Discipline against the wearing of PNP T-shirt and camouflage among civilians were also inculcated. From these efforts the Tagudin PNP has garnered the trust and confidence of the people. Not withstanding the minimal budget allocation and equipment in crime prevention, the Tagudin PNP has succeeded in making our society a safer place to live in. Meanwhile to be able for them to dispose of their function to the highest level, more sophisticated communication equipments and additional police vehicles are recommended to be supplied to them.

LOCAL LEGISLATION

The Sangguniang Bayan remained uninterrupted in its collegial work of legislating various measures for the general welfare of the municipality and its people. There was, however, a change in its composition with the election and qualification of 2 ex-officio members, as a result of the synchronized Barangay and Sk elections.

During the year, the Sangguniang Bayan held 47 regular sessions and 2 special sessions. During these sessions, it was able to pass 125 resolutions, 6 of which embodied appropriation ordinances and embodied 6 general ordinances.

The Sangguniang Bayan also encouraged the people’s participation in governance by empowering barangay officials in preparing their own annual executive budgets, annual development plans for approval by the SB. This was aimed at educating the people about budgeting procedures and at the same time educating them how to prioritize their budgetary allocations.

Much ahs already been accomplished but a lot more is yet to be achieved. As most of the basic services for our people have already been put in place, we should now shift our role from service and welfare to a catalyst of development. Likewise, the growing enthusiasm of the NGO group participating in many projects and activities of the municipality can be regarded as a big step in human resources development as these lead the people to be self-reliant, self-sufficient and productive which we can consider as true development.

- Prepared by the Office of the Municipal Planning

and Development Coordinator