DAVAO CITY (July 6) – With a unified government under Team Asenso, Governor Henry S. Oaminal is setting the stage for what he calls the “most transformative three years” in Misamis Occidental’s history. Speaking during the joint oath-taking ceremony of newly elected provincial and local officials, Oaminal outlined a forward-looking development agenda focused on inclusive growth, infrastructure modernization, and long-term prosperity.
“For the first time, every elected official—from our congressmen to barangay councilors—is part of one team, united in one agenda: Asenso Misamis,” said Oaminal. “This gives us an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate development.”
Governor Oaminal’s speech focused not just on past achievements but on scaling proven reforms for even greater impact in the next three years. Despite a P270 million cut in National Tax Allocation in 2023, the provincial government increased its working budget through fiscal discipline and improved local revenue generation—from ₱52 million in 2022 to ₱79 million in 2024.
“We did not borrow. We did not raise taxes. We simply managed better,” he said. “And now, we can do more.”
A key part of the roadmap includes sustaining budget efficiency and institutionalizing procurement reforms that have already saved over ₱50 million in equipment and medicine purchases.
The governor highlighted several high-impact programs that will receive expanded funding and reach in the coming years:
Agriculture: The Asenso Rice Farmers Full Assistance Program will be scaled to more municipalities, and new agri-processing hubs—including the soon-to-operate BBM Rice Processing Centers and a coconut-processing facility—are expected to create jobs and boost farmer incomes.
Education: The “One Family, One Professional” scholarship will expand to reach more qualified students, with increased support per scholar to ease the financial burden of higher education.
Health & Social Services: With the ₱1-billion Misamis Occidental Medical Center nearing completion, the province will roll out a digital health records system and improve access to specialist services. The financial aid program—already distributing ₱4.3 billion since 2022—will be integrated into a new welfare tracking platform.
Tourism & Infrastructure: Projects such as Asenso Global Gardens and AMORAP Eco-Tourism Zone will anchor the province’s tourism push. Over ₱2.4 billion worth of road and building projects have already been implemented—and more are in the pipeline.
Public Safety: Distribution of rescue and patrol vehicles to all 371 barangays is just the beginning. The next phase will focus on community-based disaster resilience and crime prevention.
Governor Oaminal emphasized that Misamis Occidental is no longer among the country’s poorest provinces. It is now a first-class province, insurgency-free, and among the top five in income growth and per capita GDP.
“These are not abstract numbers—they are evidence of hope returning to our communities,” he said.
The province’s development thrusts will also align with national initiatives in agri-industrialization, climate resilience, and digital governance. The local government will work closely with national agencies to attract private investments in manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy.
In a moment of reconciliation, Oaminal extended an olive branch to his critics, stating, “This is a different Misamis Occidental now—and we’re just getting started.” He called for unity and a collective push for transformation, saying that political differences should not hinder progress.
“We measure our success not by the seats we’ve won, but by the lives we can change,” Oaminal concluded. “Let the next three years be about legacy—not for us, but for every Misamisnon who dares to dream.”
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
