ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. asked for the cooperation and support of Ilonggos to achieve good governance in the province.
During the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Santa Barbara town yesterday, the governor thanked all who responded to his call to help intensify the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This year, the governor again asked help to achieve freedom from poverty, among others.
“Another freedom we keep on fighting for. Ang siling kaina ni Mayor Dennis (Superficial), every time we celebrate Independence Day, we are fighting for freedom from poverty. That is true. That is the fundamental problem that we are fighting, and there are others,” he said.
The fight against poverty, according to Defensor, is what sets the direction for the Iloilo provincial government.
“We need direction because if we don’t know where we are going, indi kita mag-abot sa pakadtoan,” he added.
Defensor, during the celebration, presented the direction of Iloilo, including all local government units (LGUs) committed to the equitable distribution of opportunities and resources in the province through good governance.
For the governor, it is not the lack of resources that makes living difficult for many, but the distribution of those resources. As such, he wanted to be an “engineer” who sets this.
“Again, parehas na sa pagpuli naton sa COVID-19, purolihan naton ang good governance,” said Defensor, adding that good governance is not a goal but a standard of doing things in the province.
The governor believed that once good governance is achieved, the development trust or mantra of the provincial government will also be achieved. It focuses on maximizing agricultural production since Iloilo is known as an agricultural province and creating a value-added chain for agricultural products so that it can create jobs and improve business.
And while focusing on agriculture, Defensor also hoped to create growth areas that would serve as investment centers for information and communication technology and industry.
One of the areas Defensor saw as suitable for a growth center is Santa Barbara, which is accessible both to the Iloilo Airport and Iloilo City.
The development mantra of the Defensor administration is anchored on “Movement for Resurgent, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient” or “MoReProGRes” Iloilo.
“It is our whole-of-province approach to development that is not complete without you, especially sa inyo tanan,” said Defensor.
“MoReProGRes” has the following specific goals:
* to increase investments and employment opportunities
* to attain food security
* to provide accessible health and social services
* to promote public safety
* to protect and manage the resources and assets of the province
* to provide effective, efficient and transparent government administrative services.
MoRProgGRes encompasses food security, tourism and climate change resiliency. Here are the objectives:
* to promote the production of high-value crops in various agricultural settings for food security
* to blend ornamental gardening, landscaping, and high-value crop production
* to create an agri-tourism destination for tourists, especially Ilonggo weekenders
* to create green agri-tourism destinations that promote the use of recycled or upcycled materials
* to contribute to the province’s climate change response./PN
