Local government units in Camotes Islands expressed their gratitude to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for pouring in infrastructure projects in their area which has improved the services for the community.

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In his recent visit to Camotes Island, DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela checked on the progress and status of completed and ongoing projects funded by the Department thru its Assistance to Municipalities (AM) and Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) programs.

Municipality of Tudela Mayor Greman Solante showed to Trovela the completed the road concreting project at the Gomez Street, Northern and Southern Poblacion in Municipality of Tudela. He said the project has significantly put so much convenience to the riding public and improved the access to the covered barangays. 

The said project, worth P6.5 million under the AM program of the DILG, is already 100 percent completed and liquidated. 

Trovela, together with Mayor Solante and MLGOO Lovi de la Cruz, also visited the town’s Passenger Terminal at the Hagutapay Wharf in Barangay Puertobello.

The P2-million terminal project is under the Performance Challenge Fund 2017 received as Tudela’s incentive for being an Awardee of Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) in 2017.  It’s currently 98 percent complete. 

Meanwhile, Trovela also paid a courtesy visit to San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. and Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago. 

Trovela and DILG Cebu Province Director Jhoaden Lucero were in Camotes Island for the unveiling of historical markers in the towns of Pilar, Poro and San Francisco last April 6, 2021. 

The unveiling was part of the commemoration of the Quincentennial anniversary of the world’s first circumnavigation led by Ferdinand Magellan. 

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As partner to the historical event, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 Director Leocadio Trovela and DILG Cebu Provincial Director Jhoaden Lucero gave their full support to the unveiling of the historical markers in Camotes Island on Tuesday, April 6, as part of the commemoration of the Quincentennial anniversary of the world’s first circumnavigation. 

The unveiling of historical markers was led by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) on behalf of the National Quincentennial  Committee. 

Together with local officials, Trovela and Lucero graced the unveiling ceremonies in three municipalities in Camotes Island—Pilar, Poro and San Francisco, which were said to be part of the route of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition before arriving in Mactan Island, Cebu 500 years ago.

In Pilar, Mayor Manuel Santiago, Undersecretary Anthony Gerard Gonzales, Trovela and DepEd’s Marilyn Andales unveiled the historical landmark at 9 a.m in front of Pilar’s municipal hall. 

Later in the afternoon, the landmark in the Municipality of Poro located at Mactang Public Beach Barangay Esperanza was unveiled. Poro Mayor Edgar G. Rama delivered his acceptance speech virtually since he’s currently on isolation.

The day capped with the unveiling of historical marker  in the Municipality of San Francisco, right across the municipal hall, which was spearheaded by San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr.

The importance of conserving water amid the growing population, impacts of climate change and the increasing demands of agriculture and industry, got the emphasis in a virtual event hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 on Friday, March 26, 2021.

In support of the advocacy of water conservation, regional office conducted the Inter-SRO Infographs Competition which highlighted the World Water Day 2021: Disiplinado sa Impormasyon sa Tubig virtual event. 

DILG Cebu Province racked up the highest score from six judges to win first place coupled with a P5,000 cash prize. DILG Siquijor and Cebu City placed second and third and won P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. 

LGCDD Chief Maria Thelya Oporto spearheaded the online awarding.

The activity mainly promoted water conservation and showed support to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

“Even in this time of the pandemic, I encourage everyone to promote and practice the conservation of water, that we can protect ourselves from COVID-19 by frequently practicing hygienic measures such as proper handwashing and at the same time conserving this valuable resource,” read part of the message of Regional Director Leocadio Trovela delivered by LGMED Chief Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero. 

“There is an urgent need to minimize the water wastage which is brought about by the overuse and mismanagement of water despite its scarce supply,” it added. 

Resource speaker, Edna Inocando, MCWD’s Public Information Division Manager, shared to participants the ways and alternatives of conserving water including her insights on the water crisis.  

“For us in MCWD, we value water very much considering that it is our mandate to provide safe potable water and protecting the water sewage system in Cebu,” she said. 

The morning activity was part of the back-to-back program in line with the Department’s relaunch of the Disiplina Muna advocacy.

More than a year after its launch of the advocacy campaign, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) launched anew the Disiplina Muna, this time, as Bida Ang May Disiplina campaign, which focuses on defeating and managing COVID-19 pandemic.

More than a year after its launch of the advocacy campaign, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) launched anew the Disiplina Muna, this time, as Bida Ang May Disiplina campaign, which focuses on defeating and managing COVID-19 pandemic.

The national campaign dubbed as Bida ang May Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19 campaign officially rolled out in Central Visayas through a virtual launch on March 26, 2021, Friday via Zoom and Facebook Live. 

Highlight of the activity was the presentation and conferment of BIDA ang May Disiplina Ambassador, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo. 

Regional Director Leocadio T. Trovela said that the regional office nominated Mayor Remollo for his outstanding achievements in instilling the culture of discipline among his constituents and has executed sustainability measures for the DILG’s pillars for the Disiplina Muna campaign.

“Under his administration, he initiated the Discipline Zone Project in cooperation with DILG which led to the apprehension of 24, 853 violators for obstructing the flow of traffic from February 2018 to August 2019. This project was undertaken long before the presidential directive on road clearing,” said Trovela. 

“To promote participatory governance and prevent violent extremism, his city has been one of the active partners in the government’s efforts to end local communist armed conflict and became the first local government unit in the country to accept the challenge to host the first-ever Dagyawan sa Barangay at Serbisyo Caravan launch,” he added.

To recall, DILG Central Office issued a memorandum dated directing DILG regional offices to designate local chief executives in each region as regional champions of the Disiplina Muna advocacy.

Mayor Remollo expressed his gratitude for being selected as the regional ambassador as it speaks volumes on Dumaguete City’s revitalized effort amid the public health crisis. 

Being a center of trade and commerce in Negros Oriental, Remollo said that they have to be creative on their COVID-19 protocols. During the height of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dumaguete City managed to maintain zero active cases in the first four to five months. 

 “I would like to emphasize that there’s no one formula to combat this COVID-19 virus because there are different situation and condition prevailing in the LGU,” said Remollo, who shared the best practices of Dumaguete City. 

On the other hand, to debunk myths and fake news on the COVID-19 vaccines, Department of Health (DOH’s) Medical Officer III Van Philip P. Baton discussed the #Resbakuna Debunking the Myths, which is part of the nationwide information drive on Covid-19 vaccination. 

Baton emphasized that Covid-19 vaccine is an ally rather than an enemy. 

“We need to vaccinate 70 percent of our population to see the signification reduction of Covid-19 cases,” he said. 

“All vaccines in the market are guaranteed to prevent COVID-19 severe effect,” he added.

In support to the Disiplina Muna campaign, BFP 7 Deputy Regional Director Supt Rogelio Bongabong, BJMP-7 Jail Chief Superintendent Efren Nemeño, PRO-7 Regional Director PBGen Ronnie Montejo, National Youth Commission Cebu cluster head Dr. Sheridan Athena Gajete and President of Liga ng mga Barangay Region 7 chapter Dr. Romulo Cepedoza gave their video message of support to the campaign. Lastly, the local government units and the partner institutions made the Pledge of Commitment to adhere to the practices of Disiplina Muna.