The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, under the stewardship of Acting Gov. Lorenzo T. Templonuevo, Jr. focused on two concerns under the Committee on Energy chaired by PBM Edwin T. Tanael and Committee on Health chaired by PBM Santos Zafe. Aside from the regular sessions held every Monday, 2:00 P.M., committee hearings were conducted to thresh out problems or ascertain concerns/issues with resource persons invited.
PBM Tanael started the ball rolling with the holding of the Multi-Sectoral Consultative Meeting of Ficelco Stakeholders attended by more than 60 member-consumer participants. As such, the keyplayers—FICELCO, NPC, AND SUWECO—were given one month to submit their respective plans to solve the pestering brownouts in the whole province.
The East District legislator also passed a resolution installing an 80-kilowatt solar panel in the legislative building as pilot project that cost-efficient and environment-friendly.
The Committee on Health chaired by PBM Santoz Zafe focused on the alarming cases of rate in the whole of province specifically in the municipalities of San Andres, Virac and Viga which registered alarming dengue cases.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s reluctance to declare dengue epidemic in the whole province was resolved wittingly or otherwise by the national declaration of dengue epidemic by the Duterte administration through the Department of Health.
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Under Executive Order No. 009 (19) series of 2019, Acting Governor Shirley A. Abundo ordered the creation of the Provincial Tourism Planning Committee and its Technical Working Group pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1997 and IRR and Republic Act 9593 otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009 which mandates the formulation of National Tourism Development Plan.
It also ordered the updating and refinements of the Tourism Plan of the Province to be attuned with the new practices, strategies and innovations in developing tourism sites and converting tourism products based on the Guidebook in Tourism Development Planning crafted by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the other government agencies.
Based on that E.O. the Acting Governor shall serve s the chairperson with members drawn from the government sector, private sector, and civil society organizations.
Representatives from the Government Sector are: Hon. Edwin T. Tanael, PBM, SP Committee chairman on Tourism; Engr. Elsie B. Reyes, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator; Ms. Sonia P. Villaluna, Provincial Accountant; Ms. Nena V. Guerrero, Provincial Budget Officer; Ms. Mariou M. Vargas, Acting Provincial Treasurer; Engr. Felix U. Vargas, Provincial Engineer; Ms. Nelia B. Teves, Provincial Agriculturist; Ms. Socorro V. Dela Rosa, Schools Division Superintendent, DepEd; and Mr. Uldarico S. Razal, Provincial Director, DILG.
Representatives from the Private Sector include Mr. Michael Tidon, Farm Tourism; Ms. Cecilia E. Soria, Accomodation Establishments; Ms. Rechie E. Toyado, Travel and Tours; Ms. Fatima D. Kozma, Virac Tourism Council; Engr. Marilyn T. Tatel, Academe; Mr. Eric A. Abundo, Transport Sector; Mr. Genesis V. Efondo, Restaurateurs; Mr. Ryan B. Cua, Photographers; and Mr. Geno G. Castilla, Community Guides.
Representatives from the Civil Society are Dr. Adem Nalu Rubio, Founding Chairperson, SurTe; and Atty. Susan U. Ordinario, Founding Person, Kabalikat Civicom, Inc. Catanduanes Chapter.
The Technical Working Group include Ms. Carmel B. Garcia, STOO, Governor’s Office-Tourism; Engr. Eloisa E. Tabirara, PDO III, PPDO; Ms. Marilyn T. Alberto, PEO III, PPDO; Mr. Edwin T. Silva, PO II, PPDO;
Ms. Merlyn V. Avila, PO I, PPDO; Mr. Jerry B. Beo, LDRRMO IV, PEO; Engr. Reynoso U. Santos, Engineer IV, PEO and Arch. Norbert E. Evangelista, Architect II, PEO.