BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Gov. Arthur Defefensor Sr. highlighted the Ilonggos’ resilience in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) yesterday at the provincial capitol.
“We have proven to ourselves that we can survive even a Yolanda-level catastrophe because of our strong sense of community anchored on our deeper sense of common humanity,” Defensor said.
Super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) hit northern Iloilo November last year.
Defensor also thanked the “heroes” who came to extend assistance.
“But we have to admit that our forward momentum towards progress was halted and delayed, even as we responded to the pressing problems of the present,” said Defensor.
He acknowledged the volunteers, local and international groups and corporations like Ayala Land and the SM Group of Companies which turned over 200 and 100 housing units, respectively, to typhoon survivors.
Defensor also lauded 1Meal Foundation of Ilongga civic leader and businesswoman Theresa “Nene” Chan, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce-Panay, among the many benevolent organizations that donated hundreds of fishing boats to fisherfolk whose boats were destroyed by the typhoon.
“So much has been done but we all know that a lot more need to be done. We simply have to move on because for us, there is no turning back,” Defensor said.
The governor also cited the various awards of the provincial capitol and its departments such as the Most Outstanding Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Award for Dr. Neneth Pador, Most Outstanding Governor in Social Service for his office, Best Performing PESO Award 2013 for the Public Employment Service Office, second Seal of Good Governance and Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) awards for the province from the Department of Interior and Local Government, and among others.
Defensor mentioned various programs and project in the field of social and health services. He especially mentioned the various aid extended by the South Korean government through its Korea International Cooperation Agency.
He vowed to continue his programs on agriculture, reforestation, infrastructure, peace and order and security, and cited the performance of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office under Senior Superintendent Cornelio Salinas and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under Regional Director Paul Ledesma.
“Our campaign against illegal drugs produced results beyond expectations,” said the governor.
Index crimes in the province dropped by 34.8 percent, 412 suspected drug traffickers were arrested and P15-million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated this year alone, said Defensor./PN
