Gov Padilla, VG Gambito lead PGNV-ELA Workshop 

Gov Padilla, VG Gambito lead PGNV-ELA Workshop

The chiefs of the different offices and hospitals of the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Governor Carlos M. Padilla and Vice Governor Jose V. Gambito, respectively, converged on August 10, 2022 at the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism (LMET) Park in Diadi for a three-day Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) workshop.

Also participating in the workshop as a representative of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the education sector was former Governor Ruth R. Padilla, President of the Nueva Vizcaya Abot Palad Association and OIC-President of the Nueva Vizcaya State University.

Dr. Roberto C. Busania, Regional Technical Director of the Region 02 office of the Department of Agriculture, was invited to provide informational inputs concerning the various ongoing programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) of the national government agency (NGA), including those that have just been recently approved for its implementation, which all served as invaluable inputs to the planning process.

As he explained the importance of harmonious blending between the executive and legislative branches of the PGNV, VG Gambito stressed that both must train their sights toward a common development direction and agenda. He then appealed for the cooperation and support of leaders and implementers alike for the next three years, and reiterated as well the need to judiciously utilize limited resources and for everyone to endeavor to realize maximum benefits therefrom for the well-being of the province at large. VG Gambito also acknowledged and expressed his appreciation to Mdm. Padilla who, he said, initiated and accomplished major improvements at the Provincial Capitol and the LMET Park, among others.

Expounding on the notion of blending of powers, which also serves as a check-and-balance mechanism, Gov Padilla said that there ought to be a mechanism for continuing dialogues and consultations between the Executive and Legislative leaders. “Frictions among us should be avoided and, as much as possible, we instead promote harmonization of ideas for the good of our people”, he added.

Gov Padilla said that it is indeed the shared desire of both leaders and constituents to see and feel fast and appropriate actions amid challenges and uncertainties, given the limited resources. To accomplish this, the planning process output has to be multi-dimensional and far-reaching, which should go way beyond the term of the present administration. This explains the presence of CSO and NGA representatives who were also invited to share their insights and perspectives.

Commenting on the LMET Park which has been used as a venue for PGNV activities, like this workshop, Gov Padilla said that it is an asset that belongs to our people, which should generate more revenues, and one way to accomplish the same is to use it so that others may be encouraged to patronize it too.

The completion of the ELA, which is anchored on the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the PGNV, undergoes a three-stage process, namely, Review of the Executive Agenda and Program Proposals which started last June, followed by the Crafting of the joint Executive-Legislative Agenda in August, and its Finalization by the end of September.

The whole process aims to provide an understanding of the provincial situation and surrounding circumstances and to identify development challenges, as reasonable bases for priority strategic actions, legislative measures, and capacity development.

In relation thereto, Engr. Edgardo D. Sabado, Chief of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, highlighted major international and domestic issues and concerns, which include the COVID-19 pandemic that has no end in sight as yet, along with other emerging diseases, the Ukraine-Russia War, animal and plant diseases like the African Swine Fever, depreciating Philippine Peso, and rising national and provincial inflation rates, among others.

This ELA workshop is not new, since it is among those regular activities being undertaken by both national and local governments. The present ELA, however, is relatively unique as it integrates, on top of the issues and concerns already mentioned, the ramifications of Executive Order No. 138, dated June 1, 2021, which mandates “Full Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments, Creation of a Committee on Devolution, and for Other Purposes”.