TO GO ON GLOBALIZATION…

The subject of has now the topic in every discussion both in local and international gatherings. Like the dreaded El Niño that is feared to wreck havoc on what we have sown, globalization may likewise subvert what we have started if we are not aptly prepared by its subjugation. While it is the global phenomenon of our century that no country in the globe that can prevent, it can however be utilized for our advantage if we are fully equipped and ready.

As soon as Panabo was converted into a City, the Panaboans further dreamt of more progress and development we can share as legacy to our children and future generation.

Thanks to the Local Government Support Program-Canada International Development Authority (LGSP-CIDA) who extended assistance in the crafting of the Executive Agenda. Never before in the history of our LGU that the Executive Agenda has been given emphasis in charting the round map for development of our locality. Truly, this one of a kind program has taught the executors and planners of our city the importance of involving the constituency, through its civil society organizations, in collectively charting the round map towards progress and development, after all, the constituents are the real stakeholders in all the implemented projects. This chemistry of public- private participation in governance will surely accord joint ownership and transparency of all the projects and programs implemented and avoid white elephants, which is just a total waste of the government's resources.

As an offshoot of the Executive Agenda, several projects and programs are ready in the implementation pipeline, still under the auspices of LGSP-CIDA. They are the following, to wit:

a.) Revenue Generation and Resource Mobilization; whose aim is to enhance the financial management capacity of our LGU.

b.) Solid Waste Management Programs; aims to implement fully RA 9003 (Implementing Rules and Regulations of the, "Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000"),

c.) Introduction of Information Communication Technology; aims in developing and incorporating computer-based information systems into the management of our LGU and the installation of website that could open more room for national and international linkages,

d.) Potable Water Projects; our City availed the program on Demonstrating LGU capacities to plan and implement Potable Water Projects. As of now, we have in Barangay Nanyo, hopefully every Barangay should have potable water,

e.) Comprehensive Shelter Plan; provide affordable home for each family, ensuring that by 2008 Panabo City shall have controlled and reduced landless household. An equally important undertaking that the City is committed to the preparation of the City Development Strategy Plan (CDS Plan). Like the former program, this foreign funded undertaking, it is under the auspices of the World Bank and the League of Cities of the Philippines. The purpose of CDS is to study and examine the City's strengths, weaknesses; opportunities and treats so that Strategies, Plans & Interventions can be prepared to make our city livable, bankable, well governed and globally competitive. Like the Executive Agenda of the LGSP-CIDA, the participation of the community is of utmost importance to come up with a holistic blueprint to attain our aspirations of a truly progressive city.

With all the programs and projects that we have availed of, I am sure that the threats of globalization can be effectively cushioned with our continuing efforts to make our city globally competitive.