Aumentado pushes league advocacy for direct access to ODA as tools for local development

THE advocacy of the League of Provinces of the Philippines to allow LGUs direct access to official development assistance without sovereign guarantee by the national government may be one of the tools for local government.

League president, Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, pushed for this advocacy in his keynote message delivered during the Technical Workshop on Local Economic Development Tools and Approaches for Local Employment Generation, Peace and Security.

Aumentado noted that while the Kilos Asenso Program, initiated by the league together with the ULAP, could have generated P10 billion for job generation, livelihood, health and education, farm-to-market roads, light and water for the barangays and other vital social services, the Senate struck it down for the flimsy reason that they were the president’s pork barrel.

In his keynote address, the governor noted that by allowing LGUs to directly access ODA using the IRA intercept as guarantee for payment of concessional loans and as counterpart funds for performance grants the national government would not be increasing its foreign debt.

At the same time, the LGUs will have enough funds for its programs and projects on job generation, livelihood and other economic activities for their constituents.

During the same forum, Aumentado likewise shared Bohol’s experience in its poverty reduction program for peace and development.

He pointed out that what brought the Boholanos out of their stupor with the insurgency movement is “the realization that the government was indeed sincere in helping them out of poverty through its poverty reduction program for peace and development and that the military has the humane face in the campaign.”

Toward this end, the creation of the Bohol Poverty Reduction and Management Office – which became the backbone of Team Bohol, which is working on reducing poverty and insurgency – was one of Aumentado’s first actions upon assuming his position as governor of Bohol.

In order to strengthen the anti-insurgency campaign, the provincial government fielded a team of community organizers to work with the Special Operations Team of the military in order to establish trust and confidence among the people.

The program, which has not only lured former members of the NPA back to mainstream society but also encouraged them to become the number one campaigners for their comrades in arms to return to the folds of the law, has had far-reaching social, economic and environmental impacts, Aumentado said. (AJS)

OTHER NEWS:
	League, provinces chip in for Guimaras rehabilitation from oil spill
	Govs welcome early resolution of recycled impeachment complaints
	DENR asked to clarify functions under Mining Act vis-à-vis Local Code
	Aumentado pushes league advocacy for direct access to ODA as tools for local development
	LPP allocates P3.6M for govs official foreign travels
	League collectively supports SONA mega-region projects, pushes for its full implementation
	Govs dialog with national agencies on concerns on major infra projects
	Govs welcome Villar take-over Senate leadership, appeals for more responsive legislature
	League asks DepEd to review bidding for Palaro hosting
	Super-regions need P382-B to finance projects - DBM
	LPP denounces unceremonious relief of Batangas police chief
	LPP supports Palawan in Malampaya share claim
	Photo Gallery LPP 11th General Assembly
	Friendship bridges in 3 Visayas regions hailed