CITY OF BAYAWAN BENCHMARKS ON LU’S MULTI-SECTORAL GOVERNANCE COUNCIL

March 18, 2023 Provincial

SAN FERNANDO, La Union

The City Government of Bayawan, Negros Oriental visited the Provincial Government of La Union for a benchmarking session on March 9, 2023 to learn from the Province’s Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) and Performance Governance System (PGS) best practices aligned to its vision to become “The Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025.”

Governor Raphaelle “Rafy” Ortega-David personally met with the delegation led by Bayawan MSGC Chairperson Dr. Norberto D. Montecino and Office for Strategy Management (OSM) Coordinator, Mr. Catalino C. Elum to formally welcome them to the Province and to discuss the thrusts and programs of the current administration, including the status of La Union’s PGS implementation. Ms. Agnes Grace A. Cargamento, Provincial Administrator, also met with the delegation to discuss the early stages of the LU MSGC.

The group met with the La Union MSGC led by Chairperson Brennus H. Paragas, together with its
selected officers and members, to discuss how the MSGC’s programs align with the Agri-Tourism strategy. The notable LU MSGC programs, which were showcased are the the Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Most Eco-Friendly Gasoline Station Restrooms in La Union, Adopt-an-Agri-Tourism-Site, and See La Union First – all of which were duly commended by the Bayawan delegation.

Chairperson Paragas also discussed how the LU MSGC’s future programs are aligned with the
Gov. Rafy’s P.U.S.O. Agenda. Mr. Jericho Paolo L. Zafra of the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Officer also presented La Union’s transformations brought about by the strong
implementation of the PGS. Some of these are the improved working relationships with the component Local Government Units and National Government Agencies, La Union having the
second lowest poverty incidence and most Competitive Province in Region I based on the NCC-CMCI, 94.10 percent employment rate, and growth in tourist arrivals. As requested by the Bayawan MSGC, a brief discussion of the PGLU Workspace, an employee management information system, was also facilitated by Mr. Gery D. Binas-O, Information and Communications Technology Unit (ICTU) Head.

A short forum followed these wherein the Bayawan delegation raised their queries which were centered on LU MSGC’s effective formulation and implementation of programs, and involvement of
the religious sector in planning, among others. The PGLU pointed out the importance of these sessions as a testament to institutions’ commitment to good governance. The City of Bayawan applauded PGLU for its genuine efforts and for warmly welcoming them to the Province. They added that this session shall be of great help in the attainment of their vision, to be “The Model Agri-Eco Industrial City in the Central Visayas by 2029”. Both PGLU and Bayawan are vying for the
last stage of the PGS, Institutionalization and are set to undergo the revalida later this year.

Loren M. Obillo, GPC-PPDO