In
the 6th LPP National Executive Board Meeting held at the
Discovery Suites, the League once again took the unyielding
stand on current issues affecting the provinces and LGUs.
The
League took a firm stance reiterating its call to Pres.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to suspend the implementation of
the Government Procurement Policy Board Resolution No. 08-2004
relative to the guidelines for the implementation of projects
undertaken “by administration” or force account.
Oriental
Negros Gov. George Arnaiz, who sponsored the resolution,
pointed out that the LGUs should be given the authority
to decide whether to bid out or undertake local infrastructure
projects by administration regardless of the cost, especially
if this involves solely local funds.
The
governors cited that implementing the provisions of the
said circular, including that limiting the cost of the project
to up to P2 million would infringe on local autonomy.
|
| Gov.
Erico Aumentado |
|
| Gov.
Josie dela Cruz |
Moreover,
the league has requested the Land Bank of the Philippines
(LBP), the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and
the Philippine National Bank (PNB) to immediately release
the proceeds of loans secured by local chief executives
who have been duly authorized by their respective sanggunians
for the purpose.
League
president and Bohol Gov. Erico B. Aumentado said this move
aims to waive the requirements of these banks for them to
submit another Sangguninang Resolution confirming the earlier
authority for such release.
Her colleagues likewise supported the advocacy of Bulacan
Gov. Josie dela Cruz authorizing the filing of a case before
the Supreme Court assailing statutory provisions and executive
issuances that allow the national government executive control
over provinces insofar as small-scale mining permits are
concerned.
In addition, the League approved a resolution sponsored
by Gov. Aumentado urging the president to conform to the
Court of Appeals decision resolving the controversy that
marred the 2006 Nursing Licensure Examinations, to allow
the immediate oath taking of successful examinees and to
pursue the findings of the NBI relative to the prosecution
of persons responsible for any wrongdoing.
There
was also a concerted effort by the governors, led by Lanao
del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo to formulate, review and
adopt an integrated preparedness and response plan for avian/pandemic
influenza expressed thru a board resolution.
In
a separate board resolution sponsored by Aumentado, the
league advocated for Pres. Arroyo to adopt a national policy
for sustainable upland development and the formulation,
development and rationalization of a National Upland Development
strategy.
At
the same time, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone sponsored
a resolution, consequently approved by the board, supporting
the re-appointment of Sec. Arthur Yap as head of the Department
of Agriculture.
Department
of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Andaya,
who was invited as a guest speaker, informed the governors
that the supplemental budget for LGUs in 2006 has already
been approved noting further that IRA allocations for the
succeeding fiscal years will be released automatically to
the LGUs.
Meanwhile,
the program director of the Philippines-Australia Community
Development Assistance Program David Swete Kelly announced
that the Australian government, through PACAP, will be increasing
its assistance to beneficiary local governments from $2
million to $4 million.
LPP’s
legal consultant Atty. Al Agra and. Atty Agra reported the
developments on the status of the People’s Initiative
as part of LPPs advocacy.
He
presented three possible scenarios which the Supreme Court
would be looking at when it resolves the petition for charter
change through a people’s initiative.
A
decision by the high court on this matter is expected to
come out within the next few days. (jesse s. alcaraz)
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