Pineda to LGUs, gov’t agencies: allot funds for drug surrenderees

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO- Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda reiterated yesterday her call to local government units and to national government agencies to prioritize the provision of funds for the rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of the thousands of self-confessed drug suspects who voluntarily surrendered under the “Dalan ning Pamagbayu” program.

In a forum held at the Kingsborough Convention Center, this city, the governor said they have initially allotted P10 million fund for the anti-illegal drug campaign.

However, she said the fund is not enough to complete the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the 10, 237 self-confessed drug suspect surrenderees.

“We have more than 10,000 users and pushers, what are we going to do with them? For sure there will be more in the following days or weeks,” she stressed.

One of the attendees of the forum is Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Director Myrvi A. Fabia who discussed the guidelines for the fund allocation and utilization of the LGUs in support for the anti-illegal drug campaign.

Third district Board Member Rosve Henson, concurrent chair of the peace and order committee sought the assistance of the LGUs to aid in funding the programs for the rehabilitation of drug users and drug peddlers.

“I hope we are all in this together as it (illegal-drugs) is a big problem in the province. I hope the local officials will be keen in complying with the guidelines of our LGUs to enable us to use the funds immediately and to be guided accordingly,” he said.

With this, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director Severino C. Santos presented the possible programs and projects of the concerned line agencies in support to the ‘Dalan ning Pamagbayu’ program.

One of the national government agencies who has committed to give full support to the rehabilitation and reformation program for the drug pushers and drug peddlers in the province is the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE Region 3 Director Ana C. Dione vowed to continue giving more livelihood programs similar to Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged workers (TUPAD).
Commission on Higher Education (ChEd) Region 3 Director Caridad Abuan pledged to grant scholarship to the children of the drug abusers.
More opportunities will be opened for the drug pushers and drug users such as allowing them to help in the clean and green campaign and maintaining the cleanliness of the community to be funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Also, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vowed to offer livelihood programs since there are forthcoming projects in the field of construction and assembling for this year.
Governor Pineda is determined to put an end to the proliferation of illegal drugs and give new hope for the drug users and drug peddlers by letting them become productive Kapampangans.
“We really need to work on this. To all of you who are present here, it means you are one with me throughout this campaign. I believe, God will never give us something that we cannot surpass. We can do this,” she said.

ALS produces 1,519 graduates in Pampanga

ALS produces 1,519 graduates in Pampanga

Some 1,519 Kapampangans received their individual certificate of recognition through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) implemented by the Department of Education with the support of the provincial government of Pampanga led by Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda during the “Galal Para Kareng ALS Passers” held at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center yesterday.

According to Ruel Bondoc, Education Program Specialist (EPS)-ALS, 15 of the graduates passed the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test for the Elementary Level while 1,504 passed the ALS-A&E Test for Secondary Level.

Out of the 1,519 graduates, 1,157 are regular ALS passers, 12 are from the Pampanga Provincial Jail, 24 from Guagua District Jail, 51 from Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center, 18 from the Regional Rehabilitation Center and 257 are walk-in.

Bondoc said the passers represent 56 percent of the 2,395 who took the A&E Test.

Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda said the provincial government will be giving educational assistance to ALS passers who plan to pursue college.

According to Provincial Librarian Bessie Makabali, Ordinance 484 allows the provincial government to allot educational assistance to ALS passers and needy but deserving students.

Records from the Provincial Library show that 154 ALS passers who pursued college education are currently receiving educational assistance.

During the event, Vice Gov. Pineda also recognized the 28 mobile teachers, 28 district ALS coordinators and 35 facilitators for their efforts in teaching their students.

Gov. Pineda, for her part, said employment opportunities await the graduates since they now have their high school diplomas.

The lady governor also reminded the graduates to stay away from illegal drugs and focus on their future.

“You are on your way to a brighter future. Do not get involved in illegal drugs,” the governor added.

Among those present during the event were board members Pol Balingit and Cherry Manalo, DEPED Regional Director Malcolm Garma, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Leonardo Zapanta, and capitol department heads. PIO PAMPANGA

Candaba mayor to prioritize education, businesses

CANDABA, Pampanga – Mayor Rene Maglanque has vowed to prioritize the improvement of business and education here based on his ten-point agenda.

Maglanque said he is allotting at least P5 million for 1,000 scholars and they will receive P5,000 each yearly.  The funds came from the P6.5 million yearly budget of the defunct Ibon-Ebon Festival organized by the previous administration.

 “I believe that we can drastically cut poverty through the availability of education for our people,” said Maglanque.

Maglanque, who was interviewed with Vice Mayor Babes Evangelista, said he will also work for the improvement of the road network. He said the town is divided into three areas: Poblacion, Kampampangan and Tagalog regions.

Maglanque the “only way for business to improve, especially in the central Poblacion area, is if the roads are better and connected within Candaba.” He said at least 50 percent of the total roads in Candaba are “not in good condition.” 

Maglanque said he will establish a business hub at Pansol, the area near the town of Sta.Ana. He added that Pansol is one of the areas in Candaba free from floods.  

Maglanque said he is also planning to create housing units at Pansol.

For her part, Evangelista said she will support the mayor’s projects on education and the 10-point agenda.

The other projects of Malanque in the agenda are on health, establishment of P2 million social funds, senior citizens’ welfare center, agriculture and livelihood, peace and order, disaster preparedness and good governance. By Joey Pavia

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