SAN ISIDRO, Northern Samar-This town is getting its full rewards for following the full disclosure policy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It was awarded of the Seal of Housekeeping for the years 2012 and 2013, receiving in the process P1.8 million as incentive which it used to bankroll programs that are to benefit its constituents.
Mayor Conrado Avila, Sr., the “no adverse findings” of the Commission on Audit (COA) together with observing of the no noon break policy and the wearing of office uniform of the employees officials during office hours were the main factors for the recognition it received from the DILG. The municipal building was expanded to a three-storey level at a cost of P13 million sourced from its own fund. The fourth class town enjoy a P80 million assistance from the government for its internal revenue allotment share. For his part, town administrator Ferdinand “Nanding” Avila, in a separate interview, said that the municipal government under his father continue to provide scholarship grants to 500 students enrolled in various colleges and universities. He also said that medical assistance like giving free medicines to the needy but poor people of the town who visit at their rural health unit facility is likewise being sustained.
The town’s ambulance is always ready for those who want to use the vehicle for emergency purposes, the administrator added. He also said that construction of a farm-to-market road in Barangay Palanit with a cost of P5 million is underway. The second phase of the town’s evacuation center worth P4.7 million is also now being constructed. The funding for the project was sourced from the town’s calamity fund and assistance from former governor Paul Daza. San Isidro is also a beneficiary of the government’s “Salintubig” program with the construction of a level II water system located in Brgy. Palanit and the completion of a diversion dam in Brgy. San Juan.
(PETER D. PAREDES)
