LGU Calbayog-SOS: a perfect example of public-private partnership says Mayor Uy

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
October 21, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  In pursuit to strengthen the public-private partnership, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the city government and the SOS (Save Our Souls) Village Calbayog was realized on October 16, 2010 as part of the 62nd charter day celebration.

The ceremonial signing was held at the Helmut Kutin Social Hall of Herman Gmiener Laboratory School Campus now the LGU Calbayog - SOS Family Training Center.

In behalf of the city were Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy and Vice-Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino, while Village Director Emily Torculas represented the SOS Calbayog.

Based on the agreement, the LGU-Calbayog as a local government unit shall encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities and enhance economic prosperity among its residents.

SOS, in pursuit of one of its purposes and objectives enable families to be self-sufficient and ventured in establishing the family strengthening program (FSP) and helping them secure through the collective efforts to be productive and provide them livelihood and thereby increase their income capabilities.

In the partnership agreement, the city and the SOS shall jointly create the management committee that will oversee the implementation and identify viable programs and projects that they mutually supported, monitored periodically its implementation, assess accomplishments in terms of impact to the recipients and to the community, exchange technical expertise and recommend appropriate measures relative to the success and progress of the programs and projects about to be implemented.

The city will financially and technically support the programs and projects covered by the joint venture such as to provide equipment; maintenance of the building and structures presently utilized, payment of electric, water and other utility concerned; provide 24-hrs security in the vicinity of the existing demo farm and all the buildings utilized by the Tri-District.

Structures of the former school campus have been converted into Tri-District Office, Palayamanan Peace House, Community Seed Composting Facility and a Training center for families and out-of-school youths. Other areas were used as demo farm.

The SOS on the other hand shall assist in the organization and identification of community workers as well as to contribute expenses; and to initiate study for the creation or establishment of other programs and projects that may be covered by the joint cooperation.

Mayor Reynaldo Uy in his speech said that the city under the present dispensation has endeavored to revive the Tri-district program which has an analogous purpose with that of SOS.

As provided in Section 3 paragraph 1 of the Local Government Code, the participation of the private sector in the local governance particularly in the delivery of basic social services shall be encouraged to ensure the viability of local autonomy as an alternative strategy for sustainable development; and the local government units may enter into joint ventures and such other cooperative arrangements designed to improve productivity and income among others pursuant to Section 35 of Republic Act 7160.

“This is an ongoing project of SOS and partnership started during the previous administration of Mayor now Congressman Mel Sarmiento, igpapadayon ngan papabaskugon ta la… a perfect public-private partnership which is based on PNoy’s SONA (State of the Nation Address)”, said Mayor Uy.

Since the city has a good financial status, it has a borrowing capacity to support the programs and projects of the Tri-District, he added.

SOS Village Director Emily Torculas on the other hand was very grateful when Uy donated P240,000 worth of check for the SOS.

To pursue the family best care and family strengthening programs, she appealed before the crowd to extend assistance and generosity for there had been a plan that SOS Village Philippines be independent in terms of “funds”.