Infrastructure, Politics, Governance, and Lifestyle

Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson showed that no disaster can break the hearts of every Ilocosurian. At the height of typhoon Ompong, he personally led the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council in coordinating with the LGU’s and other DRRM units to monitor the situation. He patrols the streets and supervises the PDRRMO for its systematic functions. Even before Ompong strikes Luzon, residents of the province initiated pre-emptive evacuation. This is the result of the numerous trainings conducted by the PDRRMC to make sure that no life would be spared. Residents did their homework. They prepared emergency kits and food. Meanwhile, the relief goods are prepared by the provincial government and were immediately given to LGU’S after the post assessment meeting. At the post disaster meeting, agriculture damages totalled to P1, 685, 853, 658.85 while the infrastructure damages summed up to P482,219,859.2. Gov. Ryan Singson said that the Provincial Government would distribute free seeds and fertilizers as an initial assistance to the farmers. He thanked the mayors of the different municipalities of Ilocos Sur who helped and prepared everything in one goal towards the safety of everyone. “Sama-sama tayong babangon”, said Gov. Ryan He also praised the effort of the PDRRMC rescuers and responders as he called them heroes of the modern days.

Governor Ryan Singson was given the Civil Service Commission PAGASA award (Regional level) in the 2018 Search for Outstanding Government Officials and Employees during the Pammadayaw 2018, Awarding for Length of Service at the Vigan Convention Center today September 21, 2018. The award was supposedly handed to Gov. Ryan on the 14th day of September but the governor preferred to visit municipalities that are mostly affected by the strike of typhoon Ompong. Leading the dignitaries present were CSC Region 1Director Hedy Jose Lardizabal (CSC ROI), Ilocos Sur provincial CSC head Marichu Cuison, Vice Mayor Lulu Bacquiran of Vigan and others. “This symbolizes the quality of service we are providing for the people of Ilocos Sur, and this will inspire me more to extend my service to the Ilocosurians,”Governor Ryan Singson said. Civil Service Commission Pagasa (Pagasa) Award is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contribution/s resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government.

Ilocos Sur Governor and Bileg Party President Ryan Singson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Chairman of Hugpong ng Pagbabago formally signed the alliance of agreement of their respective parties on Friday, September 28, 2018. It was witnessed by the officials of both parties and the senatorial slate of HNP. “This marks a great impact to the political history, with the alliance of Bileg and Hugpong ng Pagbabago, we share dreams for our beloved country. With Bileg and HNP, we are one and we are stronger”, said Gov. Ryan Singson. He believed that the alliance is symbolic similarly to their “Bileg” which means strength. The strength not only as a political group but the strength to serve more people, from the north to south. Gov. Ryan also stressed his respect and support to the strong political will of the Duterte administration which continued to inspire him. Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte took the opportunity to thank the Ilocosurian supporters of his father, President Duterte in the last elections. She also ask them to support their line up in their bid for senate seat which include Congressman Pia Cayetano, Cong. Zajid Mangudadatu, Se. Cynthia Villar,Sen. JV Ejercito, former Sen.Jinggoy Estrada,Dir. Gen. Bato Dela Rosa, SAP Bong Go, Sec. Harry Roque and Gov. Imee Marcos. Bileg party showed their might as it was supported landslide by elected officials in the province of Ilocos Sur. Sara Duterte administers the Mass Oath taking to more than 1000 BILEG members from the province which took right after the signing of the alliance agreement. Prior to the signing, HNP gave financial assistance to provinces affected by typhoon Ompong.

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur headed by Governor Ryan Singson together with the Land Transportation Office Region 1 signed the Memorandum of Agreement on the deputation of new transportation regulation officers (TRO’s). One-hundred and two (102) members of Philippine National Police in the province and sixty-three(63) members of the newly formed “Task Force Bantay Kalsada ” were deputized after a three-day training held at the University of Northern Philippines last July 11-13,2018. They were now given the authority to conduct random inspections and verify the legality of papers of all vehicles and its drivers among motorists in national highways, apprehend traffic violators, implement national laws and local ordinances and many more. As per PNP Ilocos Sur, for the period January-June 2017 there are 25 deaths and 294 injured while in January- June 2018, there are 41 deaths recorded and 276 injured, all from vehicular accidents. Minors are also involved in this accidents. “The safety of all motorists is my ultimate concern. Let us help each other to implement the traffic laws, rules and regulations for us to achieve road safety and produce law abiding motorists.” Gov. Singson said. The Governor also warned the new TRO’s for abuse of power. “If you will exploit your authority, then I will be the one who will send you to jail. To those violators who will use my name, you will face greater penalties”. SPM Mildred Elaydo, Committee Chairperson on Transportation and author of the Ordinance creating the Task Force Bantay Kalsada, said that the rate of traffic incidents and the number of fatalities went up that’s why the Provincial Government prioritized the said undertaking. “We take pride on every approved resolution and ordinances and I think we need to implement those in order for us to achieve 100 percent road safety. I’m glad for the composition of Task Force Bantay Kalsada as partner and will serve as multiplying force of PNP, LTO and LTFRB.,” Governor Singson added. Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III, Regional Director of LTO-1 admitted that they don’t have enough number of enforcers to implement the rules and regulation that’s why he thanked Gov. Singson and the Provincial Government for this laudable deputation program. Governor Ryan Singson and the LTO believed that this program will serve as an effective way to convince more motorists to follow the traffic rules and regulations.

Not only once but twice! The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur did it again for this year 2017. “We are back to back and I’m hoping for the best result next year for the Hall of Fame”, Governor Ryan Singson said. Gov. Singson personally received the 2017 SGLG marker and cash incentive, the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) at The Manila Hotel last November 28, 2017 which will be used to finance the province’ local development initiatives. The PGIS was awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance again together with its two cities Candon and Vigan along with its 13 municipalities namely: Cabugao, Caoayan, Nagbukel, Quirino, Salcedo, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Sta. Catalina, Sta. Cruz, and Sto. Domingo. Ilocos Sur is among the 448 local government units (LGUs) all over the country passed the test of good governance, earning the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for this year. "This is a very good indication of our improving governance in the province and it means better service to the people of Ilocos Sur. This just proved that we are true in our commitments in delivering services to our constituents" Gov Ryan said in a statement. Recipients of the Seal are eligible to receive a cash incentive in the form of Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) amounting to P3-million for provincial governments, P2.4-million for city governments, and P2-million for municipal governments which they can use to finance development projects. For this year, the DILG raises its overall assessment criteria from “3+1” into “4+1”. Peace and Order has been added to the core areas namely, Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, and Social Protection. This year a new essential area, Tourism, Culture and the Arts, is likewise introduced to measure LGU efforts along these concerns. Relative to the Philippine Development Plan or PDP, the areas of Financial Administration, Social Protection, Disaster Preparedness and Cultural Preservation are aligned with the principle “Malasakit” (Enhancing the Social Fabric). The areas of Business Friendliness and Tourism on the other hand, support economic growth consistent with the province “Pagbabago” (Reducing Inequality), while Peace and Order and Environmental Management are bedrocks strategies for “Patuloy na Pag-unlad” (Inreasing Growth Potential). Of the 448 LGUs that clinched the seal this year, 28 are provinces, 61 are cities, and 359 are municipalities. In 2016, only 306 LGUs received the SGLG. The Ilocos Region got the most awards with a total of 68. The SGLG, the highest award given by the Department is a progressive assessment and awards system adopted by the DILG to give distinction to remarkable local government performance across areas of good governance.