MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — Highlighting accomplishments that focused on solving the three major problems since becoming governor: peace and order, illegal drugs, and insurgency, citing that these problems affected the growth and development of the province for a long time, Gov. Henry S. Oaminal delivered his 3rd State of the Province Address (SOPA) on October 3 at Bayfront Arena, Oroquieta City.
The governor also emphasized its vision of 5Ms “Misamisnong Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambuon ug Malipayon (Misamisnons to live Peacefully, Prosperously, and Happily)” as measurements in the progress of the province.
“Attaining this vision is not an easy task; nevertheless, the goal was for Misamis Occidental to be a drug-free, crime-free, and insurgency-free province,” the governor said.
He started with the emphasis that the foundation of a progressive and joyful society is peace.
“We have intensified our strong partnership with our law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, and the communities, to eradicate the scourge of illegal drugs and its harmful and destructive effects on society,” he said.
As a result, 437 barangays are already declared drug-cleared out of the 470 affected barangays.
The provincial government also procured and distributed 351 rescue and patrol vehicles in addition to the 51 units already procured by the city government of Ozamiz. He further stated that they plan to release the remaining rescue and patrol vehicles next year, aiming to cover all 490 barangays within his term.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Asenso Misamis Occidental Balay Silangan Reformatory Center in Barangay Kimat, Tangub City, coincided with a decrease in the average monthly crime rate in Misamis Occidental from 24.52 percent in 2016 to 16.34 percent in 2023 and 13.64 percent in the first half of 2024.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. recently declared the province free of insurgency. “Part of our continuing effort to support our former rebels, we are planning to establish a housing project in Don Victoriano,” the governor said.
The provincial government is fully committed to strengthening the maintenance of peace and order and the public’s safety in the province.
“We procured and distributed 351 rescue and patrol vehicles in addition to the 51 units already procured by the city government of Ozamiz,” Oaminal shared.
In terms of social services, the governor shared that from July 2022 to July 2024, “Nikabat ngadto sa close to P1 billion ang atong nahatag nga ayuda ngadto sa 161,363 beneficiaries (the aid we gave to 161,363 beneficiaries amounted to close to P1 billion); P90.4 million from the provincial government and P909.7 million from DSWD,” the governor said.
Further, Oaminal shared the province’s partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
“We also provided cash assistance to disadvantaged and displaced workers to 28,169 beneficiaries consisting of farmers, farm workers, and laborers, fisherfolk, vendors, and insurgency-affected families in the Geographically Isolated Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) barangays worth P160,497,330 million,” he said.
Further, a total of P19.48 million was provided to 1,443 beneficiaries under the Government Internship Program and Special Program for Employment of Students. (JMOR/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
