Gov. Migs tells success stories in SOPA

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 9, 2007) – Governor Migs Dominguez on Monday jazzed up his State of the Province Address (SOPA) with success stories about community mobilization, public service reforms and partnership with various sectors – leading to "unprecedented achievements" in local governance.

Governor Dominguez delivered his SOPA - usually a prepared written report - extemporaneously with only an outline.

His 45-minute speech before the 5th regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was held at the full-packed, 4,500-capacity provincial gym.

Dominguez was applauded 22 times throughout his speech. It was the most-attended SOPA in Sarangani's history.

The SOPA, which coincided with his 30th birthday, was attended by his father former Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Paul Dominguez, his mother Rosvida, sisters Ina and Cecile, and uncles Alejandro and Tomas Alcantara.

Former Governor Miguel Escobar was also there, joining the multi-sectoral audience.

"Of course we all feel proud of having done numerous projects in the province, in our municipalities down to our barangays," Dominguez said, but "this is not the time to sit down."

Before becoming governor, Dominguez was a marketing executive of his family corporation in Alabel.

At 27-years old, Dominguez ran for governor in 2004 and defeated Escobar by a wide margin.

He recalled his 2004 campaign pitch of "kape at pandesal", where "a ko magtitimpla ng kape ninyo, kayo magdala ng pandesal," to stress partnership.

He said Sarangani's triumphs have been achieved through cooperation and unity.

Governor Dominguez has improved Sarangani's services for infrastructure, health, education, peace and order, environment, culture, tourism and economy "because of our cooperation."

"Remember when we work together we achieve a lot. We are writing our own history. This is not only my story, this is your story my fellow Sarangans," he said.

Public service reforms, efficient and quality service, and benchmarking with the private sector marked his management style.

Under Dominguez, Sarangani has become the front door to the Brunie-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through the Jose Abad Santos-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle (JAGS-CT).

"We have not only become the model for Mindanao but we have become the model for the entire ASEAN na first time ang munisipyo siyang nangunguna looking outside for trade and development to their international neighbors," he said.

Four days before his SOPA, Dominguez arrived from a trade mission to Sangihe, Indonesia, sailing 10 hours to retrace history and build "bridges towards our neighbors outside for future development of this province."

He recalled that in 2004, only a few hectares of land in Sarangani were productive. But Dole Philippines and the local government turned a former rebel-controlled village in Maasim into a pineapple plantation.

In barangay Amsipit, coop member Pring Malo recently earned about a P121,000 from two hectares of pineapple farm.

Also in Amsipit, Ka Alfe, a former commander of the New People's Army, has a team tilling and watching over the pineapple plantations. This "arms-to-farms" initiative has turned former insurgents into tillers and managers of their own farms.

To access unproductive areas, the provincial government purchased a brand new fleet of heavy equipment.

"In aquaculture areas, we introduced the big brother-small brother concept where bigger traders patronize the products of small fishermen," the governor said.

In Glan, unproductive beaches have become favorite tourist spots due to government promotions. "Isla Parilla in Alabel continues to be the prime spot for conventions and parties in the province," he said.

People from all over the country have come to experience nature at its best, experiencing river-tubing in Barangay New La Union in Maitum.

Tourists also have discovered the pristine waters of Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba. Foreigners have continuously patronized the South Point Divers in Tinoto, Maasim and agro-tourism is now flourishing in Malungon.

The governor reported that during his first few months in office, he slashed the Capitol workforce into a lean and mean staff.

"As government workers we must act like businessmen, quick to adapt to the changes in the market," he said.

Sarangani has an Internal Revenue Allotment of only P328 million. In 2006, tax collection increased by 125% from local taxes, a P109% for permits and licenses, 199% increase for service income. These collections amounted to about P25 million.

However, "we have been able to source out funds amounting to more than P1 billion in the past two years in terms of development projects, with various sectors," said Dominguez.

He also cited "our partnerships with the private sector" in sending poor and deserving students to school, building classrooms, and feeding programs for pupils.

Sponsors such as Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) have empowered communities to build their own projects. KALAHI-CIDSS, the government's flagship socio-economic program for poverty eradication, has been recognized by the World Bank as one of the best ongoing poverty reduction initiatives in the world. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)