BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla visited Baguio City recently to dialogue with local chief executives of Baguio and Benguet province, to further local governance.
“Andito po ako ngayon sa Baguio City para kausapin ang mga taga Cordillera. Ang needs and concerns ng local government ay hindi ko malalaman kung andoon lang ako sa Manila. Ang message ko lagi sa kanila, it’s time that you decouple yourself from interior Manila. Dapat kami na ang pupunta sa inyo imbes na kayo ang pumila doon sa amin sa Maynila,” Remulla said.
Among the topics discussed include concerns on public safety, peace and order and good local governance in Baguio City and Benguet.
“My point of concern here really, was to know the local matters which the national government has ignored for a long time and to bring that service here on a personal basis. Kasi madalas, katulad ng sabi ni Mayor Magalong yung fire station was requested six years ago, hanggang ngayon wala paring nangyayari. So, I’m here to assure him that once I get back, I’ll immediately put it to action para magkaroon na kaagad yan,” the Secretary said.
“I will do my best to effect changes so that local governments will be better and the department will be better,” Remulla stressed.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, in behalf of the local officials, expressed gratitude to the Secretary for listening to their concerns and approving some of the requests and needs for the development of their respective localities.
“I would like to thank our Honorable Secretary Remulla of our DILG for giving time to visit our province. Maraming salamat po at nakita niyo yung mga mayors natin. Actually, marami talagang kailangan sa development ng province, at least nasabi naman nila regarding public safety, peace and order. So, at least nakikita namin na may ilaw na matutulungan kami sa probinsya’,” Diclas said.
The 13 mayors of Benguet were present during the dialogue at Camp John Hay On Feb. 19.
“Nagpapasalamat din kami kay Secretary for visiting the City of Baguio. We have a very constructive and productive discussion a while ago. Constructive in the sense na nasabi niya sa amin kung ano yung, kanyang mga insights, kanyang mga pananaw, kung paano iparating rito yung mga programa ng DILG at the same time listening. Ang ginagamit niya this time ay ang active listening skills, nakikinig siya sa ating mga local government officials dahil, maganda rito is galing siya sa local government. Productive in the sense that ang dami din niyang naaprubahan, in principle, yung mga requests, lalong lalo na yung mga vehicles natin, mga pangangailangan ng mga local government. Kaya kami nagpapasalamat, Mr. Secretary,” Magalong said. (JDP/ RMC PIA-CAR)
