Pagadian City – At least 14 local government units (LGUs) in region 9 received desktop computers and GPS devices from the Spanish government thru the international development partners : United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Economic Develoment Authority (NEDA) as its implementing partners. in a simple turn-over ceremony held at Alindahaw Hotel recently.

The recipient LGUs were: Mutia, Jose Dalman, Kalawit, Katipunan, Siayan, Siocon, and Sirawai of Zamboanga del Norte; Aliicia, Payao, and Titay of Zamboanga Sibugay; and Lapuyan, Midsalip, and Tigbao of Zamboanga del Sur.

They were part of the 36 LGUs in 12 provinces located in 5 regions in the country who were identified as benefeciaries of the P1.5-M worth of computers and GPs devices in a package, under the MDGF-1919 program.

The program implementors have chosen said muncipalities and local water service providers to develop, operate and manage effectively their local water resources by improving efficiency and increasing their capability to provide quality potable water to the poor. DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero, who led the turn-over ceremony, said, the computers and GPS devices are “very effective equipments for the the LGUs to undertake baseline survey on water and sanitation”.

“The LGUs absolutely need these equipments to carefully plan and come up with a good water system,” Panadero stressed, .adding that the GPS hardware can help plan exactly where the location of the water lies.”

Lapuyan Mayor Daylinda Sulong thanked the donor of the program as well as its implementing partners for choosing their municipality as one of the benefeciaries. ‘I really apopreciate the program because it will greatly contribute to the devellopment of our town,’ she said. “I will commit 100 percent support for the successful implementation of the program,”

The beneficiaries thru their respective provincial governments have executed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DILG who formalizad their intention in joining the program.

By the end of the program, target muncipalities are expected to develop and utlize their own Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) toolboxes, customer srvice codes, updated tariff setting and regulation guidleines.

The remaining 22 recipient LGUs are from regions III (Cagayan), V (Bicol), X (Noerthern Mindanao), and XIII (CARAGA). Other personalities who attended the program were DILG Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, Kathelene P. Manguene, MDGF JP program manager (NEDA), and Ma. Fe Crismilla Banluta, chief, Planning Division Water Suplply and Sanitation Program Management Office (DILG), and municipal mayors (PIA-RO9, Pagadian City)

Last update: 12-01-2011 12:40