In this morning’s Flag
ceremony, the young Tan, addressed the capitol employees in Waray. She
called on all of them: those who supported her and those who did not,
“let us unite.” Tan promised the barangays that she will give them
what they need, in terms of infrastructure.
She mentioned
additional scholars and a plea to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members
to hold a session and allot some more funds for the scholarship
program.
Tan also stressed that
she will still support the different schools she supported as a
congresswoman then, for the second district of Samar.
Like her predecessor,
mother Milagrosa Tan, the young Tan said that she will continue her
mom’s favorite activities, rice-giving and medical and dental missions
to every nook and cranny of Samar’s poor districts especially in the
island barangays.
She also mentioned the
support of TESDA in the ‘livelihood programs’ she is set to implement.
She will also maintain
‘the feeding program’ in the barangays this time, through the schools.
As to health concerns,
she claimed that it is her flagship program along with agriculture.
“I will support the
maternal and child care program.”
“I will support the
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and the Botika ng Barangay through
trainings and medicines.”
The pretty governor
also vowed to sponsor the enrolment of some more Philhealth members as
only some 48 thousand families are Philhealth card holders.
She then requested the
SP to grant her the authority to enter into agreements with national
government agencies for some programs and projects that the people of
Samar can benefit from.
To address the health
problems, very much wanting in the province, Tan said that some P17M
is ready for rehabilitation and improvement of Calbayog Hospital; some
P7.8M for Basey District Hospital and some P3M for the Samar
Provincial Hospital.
She especially
mentioned Dr. Dulce Cernal and Dr. Rudolf Mabulay, the two leading
health officials to help her realize her “healthy dreams” for
Samarnons.
She promised to give
the health workers subsistence allowance.
As to agriculture, the
young governor said she and Provincial Agriculturist Anita Taran have
made plans for this department.
What received the most
applause was when she announced that the agriculture personnel will be
allowed to collect TEV when traveling officially.
Some employees have
complained in the past that they could not travel because they were
not supported with transportation allowances.
Her mission in
agriculture, Tan said is her province’s support to the national
government’s Hunger Mitigation Program and Food Security.
As she appealed to the
SP to approve the budget, she stressed that she is willing to change
if the SP will call for it. “I am open to amendments and changes,”
she reiterated.
As her final
announcements, she promised to give the employees, productivity
benefits of P12, 000 for this year, all of them, but the succeeding
years: “It will be subjected to performance and productivity.”
But, the same will be
released, once the SP approves the budget.
The employees were
also satisfied and applauded the lady governor when she said she will
implement the Salary Standardization Law.
While the lady
governor seems to be generous with benefits for the provincial
employees, she warned them that she will organize committees to
monitor the employees. “To the department heads, I urge you to watch
your workers!” (PIA-Samar)
