Davao City — Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza-Dimaporo has realigned the budget of the provincial government to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dimaporo informed the members of the provincial development council during the 15th meeting of the body at the Multi-Purpose Building, Capitol Grounds, Pigcarangan, Tubod on September 1, 2020.
The governor explained that the need to realign a portion of the budget is intended for the province to respond to the needs of emergency procurement to address COVID-19 in the area.
She revealed that the government needs to buy RDT Rapid Test Kits, renovate and construct additional isolation units and quarantine facilities, as well as financing the expenses of sweeper flights and commercial sea vessels for the returning locally stranded individuals and Overseas Filipino Workers.
The provincial government, according to Dimaporo had to extend support to other municipalities in the province in terms of relief goods to residents affected by localized lockdown.
Dimaporo also noted that the province has already spent the  Bayanihan Grant for the establishment of the Provincial COVID-19 Testing Laboratory, the only laboratory duly financed by a Provincial Government, and the said funds are projected to last until December of this year.
The meeting which was attended by members of the Provincial Planning and Development Office,  Provincial Development Council  Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño of the National Economic and Development Authority Region 10, and Vice-Chairperson of Regional Development Council and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for Rehabilitation and Recovery, and Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative, Congressman Mohamad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo.
Director Cariño, on the other hand, discussed with the Council the Northern Mindanao COVID-19 Regional Recovery Program by presenting the key strategies for Economic Sector, Social Services, Environment, Governance, and Cross-Cutting Concerns, and Transportation, and encouraged the Local Government Units to create its recovery plan.
The Province of Lanao del Norte in its contribution to the regional recovery program will focus on industry and manufacturing, trade and services, Agri-production and processing, power and energy, transport, and tourism.
Also, the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program was discussed by the Regional Director. The BP2 Program is institutionalized to ensure balanced regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities through policies and programs that boost countryside development and inclusive growth, provide adequate social services, and promote full employment, industrialization, and improved quality of life in rural areas.
It also aims to provide hope to Filipinos and encourage residents in Metro Manila and in highly urbanized cities, particularly those informal settlers to return to their home provinces and improve their lives by availing the program.
First District Representative, Congressman Mohamad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo also appealed on the importance of collecting local taxes, as he also suggested to the Governor for the Local Finance Committee to submit a report regarding the Real Property Tax of GNPower Kauswagan, and recommended to reclassify the land of NGCP Substation in the Municipality of Lala from agricultural to industrial.
The 15th PDC Meeting also adopted and approved the Supplemental AIP No. 4 for CY 2020, as well as the 2021 20% Development Fund Utilization Program, and the Annual Investment Plan for 2021.
For the construction of the National Highway in Tubod and Baroy from Panguil Bay Bridge access road to Arsenio A. Quibranza National Highway (Tubod-Ganassi Road), it was unanimously agreed to conduct a feasibility study and requested that it will be financed by DPWH, and inform the latter where to connect the PBB Bridge access road to Tubod-Ganassi Road, and to further endorse the said project to the Regional Development Council through the InfraCom. with report from PIO/LDN
