MATI, Davao Oriental – The provincial government will implement major infrastructure projects this year to boost the province's economy, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said, even as he underscored the importance of unity and cooperation for genuine development.
Dayanghirang delivered his state of the province address on July 1 – in time for the province's celebration of its 51st founding anniversary - and laid down this year’s infrastructure projects that he said would boost the province's economy.
These include the tramline system to connect remote upland areas to the nearest road network, specifically Sitio Butay in Barangay Pichon, Caraga; the development of the Mati Airport, which is already a work in progress with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP); the expansion of the tourism complex; construction of multi-purpose buildings cum evacuation centers; more potable water system; and, construction of a new multi-purpose building at the provincial capitol.
Dayanghirang added tht he is looking forward to the incoming locators in the province’s USD27-billion Davao Oriental Industrial Park in Banaybanay town. He said the industrial park, which was launched earlier this year, is set to create 10,000 jobs.
He said the future projects are beside other infrastructure development set out by other agencies under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In his governance, Dayanghirang said his administration has sought to foster greater inclusiveness and maximum participation in growth and development by all stakeholders, rather than the provincial government doing everything alone and by itself.
Milestones
The governor also highlighted the province’s development over the recent years.
“The province of Davao Oriental has travelled through a significant journey over the past few years. Taking off from the concrete foundations of effective governance already laid by the previous administration, the present leadership has set its sights on delivering the promise of a more progressive government by advancing a slate of sustainable development programs to improve the lives of the people of Davao Oriental," he said.
Dayanghirang reported that the province has already constructed a total of 50.24 kilometers road, with bridge component, funded under the PAMANA program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the Bottoms-Up Budgeting of the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the DA and the Kalsada program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In agriculture, Dayanghirang said the provincial government has assisted 57,417 farmers and 3,548 fisherfolk since 2016. It also launched the Pagkain at Kita Sustainable Agriculture Village Enterprise (SAVE) program; improved livestock and poultry production; maximized farmlands by planting various crops to 79,142 hectares of idle lands and improved food sufficiency program.
The province’s tourism industry is also making headway. He reported that the province set new records for a total number of visitors, posting 187 percent growth rate from 2011 to 2017.
In other sectors, Dayanghirang also reported developments in environmental protection, local revenue collection, employment, healthcare, human resources, social services, public safety, and peace and order. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
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