BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – Representatives from local government units and basic sectors in the province of Abra participated in the Magna Carta of the Poor-Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (MCP-LPRAP) orientation-seminar at the Abra Sports Complex Gymnasium on September 10, 2024.
“Ang ating pamahalaan ay tinitiyak na ang mga bayan at mga tao sa nayon at probinsya ay magiging parte ng ating inclusive at participative planning mechanism na naayon sa batas na tinatawag nating Magna Carta of the Poor,” explained Undersecretary Esnaen Catong, Deputy Director General of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
The Magna Carta of the Poor, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 11291, establishes a system of progressive realization of the five fundamental rights of the poor that include 1) right to adequate food; 2) right to decent work; 3) right to relevant and quality education; 4) right to adequate housing; and 5) right to the highest attainable standard of health.
Catong said that the orientation-seminar is among the first steps of capacitating local government units and grassroots stakeholders to participate in the crafting of the National Poverty Reduction Action Plan through the creating their own municipal, city, and provincial LPRAP in line with the Magna Carta of the Poor.
“Pagkatapos po nito ay meron tayong planning proper na po kasama ang ating local government units at basic sectors at ibang mga ahensya ng gobyerno dahil po maraming pera ng gobyerno ang nasasayang,” he added.
Catong also stressed that through proper planning that is in accordance with auditing rules and guidelines, the money of the government will be properly allocated to impactful projects for the community.
During the activity, participants were oriented on the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, the Magna Carta of the Poor, the Provincial Poverty Situation, and the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan and LPRAP.
Provincial Planning and Development Office Head Santos Bernardez representing Governor Dominic Valera, thanked the different stakeholders for participating in the activity towards the development of the province.
“Remember that our goal is not merely to craft plans and policies but to achieve real tangible change that uplifts our communities,” he emphasized.
Catong shared that the NAPC targets to finish the orientation-seminars the soonest possible so that they can already start with the planning proper.
“Ang timetable po niyan ay before the election and immediately after the election ay magkaroon na rin po tayo ng planning sa bawat probinsya. Mahabang process po kasi ang pagpa-plano kaya naguumpisa na po para masigurado na kung sinong uupo ay ma-incorporate po sa local executive agenda,” he explained.
NAPC aims to capacitate planning officers and stakeholders in the 82 provinces of the country to participate in the planning process. In the Cordillera, the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, the City of Baguio, and Abra already conducted the orientation-seminar. Apayao will hold the MCP-LPRAP activity on September 13, 2024. (JJPM-PIA-CAR, Abra)
