Governor reports improved employment and drug-cleared barangays, but vows to sustain efforts toward better jobs and wider economic opportunities
OROQUIETA CITY (November 6) — Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry S. Oaminal highlighted a reported decline in poverty, improvements in employment and gains in public safety as he delivered his fifth State of the Province Address (SOPA) on November 2, opening the province’s weeklong celebration of its 97th founding anniversary.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, Oaminal said poverty incidence among the province’s population dropped from 30.2 percent in 2023 to 11.2 percent in 2025 — a decrease of 19 percentage points.
He also reported that the province’s employment rate rose from 95.1 percent in 2024 to 95.8 percent in 2025.
But the governor acknowledged that employment figures alone do not necessarily translate into economic security for families.
“Employment must mean more than having a job. It must mean earning enough to support a family, developing valuable skills and giving our young people reasons to build their futures here at home,” Oaminal said.
He pledged to work with employers, training institutions, national government agencies and local governments to expand employment and livelihood opportunities.
On public safety, Oaminal reported that 435 of the province’s 470 barangays had been declared drug-cleared as of 2025.
He also cited Misamis Occidental’s reported lowest crime rate in the region, at 5.18 per 100,000 population, underscoring the need to sustain peace and order and strengthen community protection.
The SOPA covered the administration’s initiatives and accomplishments in health care, education, social welfare, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, economic development and public safety.
The address was attended by Vice Gov. Rowena Gutierrez, Representatives Jason Almonte, Sancho Fernando Oaminal and Henry Oaminal Jr. of the Asenso Pinoy party-list, provincial board members, mayors of the province’s three cities and 14 municipalities, and barangay officials.
Capitol employees watched the proceedings from another venue, where they simultaneously applauded the governor’s address. South Korean investors also attended the Monday morning event at the Bayfront Arena.
The weeklong anniversary celebration features the Asenso Food Fair, the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championship, the inauguration of the Asenso Misamis Occidental Medical Center and the maiden voyage ceremony of the Plaridel-Tagbilaran fast craft, among other activities.
As the province celebrates its development milestones, the administration faces the continuing challenge of translating reported economic and social gains into sustained improvements in household income, access to essential services and opportunities across its 14 municipalities and three cities.
“As the province looks back on its progress, the work continues toward creating more opportunities and a better future for every Misamisnon,” Oaminal said.
