By: Andres S. Maluñas
Photos by: Kenneth Caracol

PIO DINAGAT ISLANDS – The 2025 First Semester Provincial Development Council – Development Administration Committee Meeting was successfully held today, Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Function Room, JN Yamashiro Inspired People’s Hall, Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose, Dinagat Islands. The meeting was presided over by the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, Jorge C. Daligdig, LPT, EnP.

The central agenda of the program included the following:

  • 2025 PLGU-Funded PPAs for the Development Administration Sector
  • Local Public Transportation Route Plan 2025–2029
  • Civil Society Organization (CSO) Action Plan 2025–2028
  • Provision of Allowance to CSOs in Local Special Bodies
  • Provincial Council for People Empowerment and Community Development (PCPECD) Manual of Operations
  • Proposed Policy Measures and Programs of the PADAC
  • Mainstreaming of Volunteerism in the Local Development Plan

During the discussion, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Coordinator Daligdig clearly presented an overview of the 2025 PLGU-Funded Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) under the Development Administration Sector. He also showcased the total value of the programs and projects being implemented by various offices and their respective sources of funds, including the following programs:

  • Executive Governance Program
  • Legislative Governance Program
  • Justice Remedy Program
  • Law Enforcement Remedy
  • Crime Prevention Remedy
  • Community Development Program
  • Dinagat Islands Sports Development Program
  • Planning, Project Development, Monitoring and Evaluation Services
  • Support Operations and Other General Administrative Services
  • Booking and Accounting Service Program
  • And other programs

Meanwhile, Planning Officer IV, Cheryll M. Regacho, gave a comprehensive explanation of the Local Public Transportation Route Plan 2025–2029 and provided a structured overview of her presentation, which included:

  • Public Transportation Issues and Concerns
  • Public Transportation Routes
  • Traffic Volume and Passenger Load Counts
  • Rationalized Proposed Routes
  • Rationale
  • Transport Survey
  • Other Data Collection

She further emphasized some of the major public transport issues and concerns faced by commuters, such as:

  • Lack of public transport operators
  • Inadequate waiting shed areas
  • Insufficient public transport services
  • Exorbitant fares for commuters and cargo
  • Lack of fare regulation and cargo fee controls

On the other hand, the Provincial Community Affairs Office, represented by Provincial Development Coordinator for PESPD, Jon Carlo L. Esmero, gave a clear explanation on the Provision of Allowance to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Local Special Bodies, and the PCPECD Manual of Operations, elaborating on the legal bases, powers, functions, and composition of the PCPECD.

Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) focal person, Lucia V. Galabo, MPA, thoroughly explained the Proposed Policy Measures and Programs of the PADAC. She discussed in detail the resolution for the Provision of Additional Allocation for the Anti-Drug Education Campaign and Capacity Development Initiatives, as well as the Drug-Free Workplace Program, which includes regular drug testing for Capitol officials and employees to maintain a drug-cleared workforce and workplace. She also mentioned the continuous funding for the program’s components and the execution of a tripartite agreement on the co-operationalization of Balay Silangan and the allocation of necessary funds, subject to existing policy guidelines of LGU Cagdianao.

The meeting was attended by various active member offices of the council, including the:

  • Provincial Planning and Development Office
  • Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office
  • Provincial Population Office
  • Provincial Assessor’s Office
  • Provincial Community Affairs Office
  • Provincial Treasury Office
  • Provincial Information Office
  • Provincial Legal Office
  • Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
  • Provincial Tourism and Culture Office
  • Sangguniang Panlalawigan
  • PROFLA
  • And others

Also in attendance were representatives from national line agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Commission on Elections, BJMP, and others.