BAGUIO CITY – Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic” Remulla reached out to local executives from Baguio and Benguet to learn about the issues and concerns being encountered by the local governments that have been neglected by the government for prompt action.
Remulla was elated to learn that the constructive dialogue among local officials in Baguio and Benguet are doing well that is why the point of discussion was on the priority programs and projects that must be immediately acted upon by the concerned government agencies to achieve the effort of ensuring inclusive growth in the country.
He pointed out that since his assumption as head of the department, he made it a policy to go on the ground instead of local officials having a hard time setting appointments with him and having just a few minutes to discuss pertinent issues and concerns affecting the local governments.
During his visit to the city, Remulla had all the time to listen to the plight of Baguio and Benguet local chief executives relative to the priority development projects that had been neglected by the government over the past several years that needs immediate action on his part.
Among the issues on public safety that were brought to the attention of Secretary Remulla include the provision of funds for the construction of fire stations, provision of police patrol cars and emergency vehicles and other projects related to peace and order and public safety, especially in remote communities.
According to the Secretary, he will immediately act on the matter once he will go back to Metro Manila to ensure that the matters that were brought to his attention will be given due course and for the realization of the said programs that will contribute in enhancing public safety in the different parts of the country.
For his part, mayor Benjamin B. Magalong expressed his gratitude to Secretary Remulla for listening to the plight of local officials from Baguio and Benguet and for assuring them that concrete actions will be undertaken by his office to address what had been brought to his attention during the dialogue.
On the other hand, Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas lauded the efforts of Secretary Remulla in trying to reach out to the local officials on the ground for him to be appraised on the priority needs of the local governments, especially on peace and order and public safety, so that law and order will be sustained that will translate to better growth and development in the future. By Dexter A. See
