By Nimfa Estrellado Governor Hermilando Mandanas during his interview on DILG SA DZRH BREAKTIME on June 21. (Screenshot photos from DZRH Fac...
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| Governor Hermilando Mandanas during his interview on DILG SA DZRH BREAKTIME on June 21. (Screenshot photos from DZRH Facebook Page) |
LIPA CITY, Batangas - During an interview on "DILG SA DZRH BREAKTIME" on June 21, Governor Hermilando Mandanas emphasized the importance of helping the communities near Taal Volcano and ensuring their safety.
To that end, he detailed his strategies for promoting Batangas's natural wonders and historical landmarks in an effort to increase the province's tourism industry. The Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, he said, is crucial because it allows municipalities to become more responsive to their communities.
The governor has stated that the Taal Volcano continues to be monitored at Alert Level 1 and that the Batangas Provincial Government has increased its monitoring of the volcano since its eruption. The first week of June saw a significant increase in the amount of sulfur dioxide gas released from volcanoes.
'The tremors, there is still no change, this is the only thing that happened [blowing smoke], but it is now subsiding...we remain at Level 1, which means to remain vigilant, always observe, and no longer entered the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ)," said the provincial chief in Tagalog.
When asked how prepared the province is for disasters such as volcanic eruptions by one of the program's hosts, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, the governor answered, "Not only the eruption of the volcano, we know about the disasters, we are [also] passing through the earthquake in preparation...the Province of Batangas was one of the first to establish a department [in disaster management], with a budget."
Whenever he updates the governor on the province's preparedness, he never forgets to thank the Filipino people for their assistance and bravery following the January 12, 2020 eruption of the Taal Volcano.
The Capitol Highlights the Verde Island Passage for Religious Visitors
Governor Mandanas, in his capacity as acting Department Head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, reported with great optimism that the province's tourism industry is beginning to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The provincial government is now showcasing the Verde Island Passage's splendor and wealth alongside the province's more well-known tourist hotspots (VIP). "We are the only ones in the whole world that have the biggest concentration of marine life in one area, and this is also the center of what is called the Coral Triangle. It is the source of 30% of our food supply," said the governor.
In fact, Capitol officials have made an effort to promote it outside of the Philippines. In addition, efforts are being made to educate the public about the importance of protecting VIPs.
The governor noted that the province's religious attractions, such as the Mother of All Asia - Tower of Peace at the Montemaria International Pilgrimage and Conference Center in the City of Batangas and the Parish and National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in the City of Sto. Tomas, attract many visitors, especially during the preceding observance of Semana Santa or Holy Week.
Gov. DoDo, Good Governance Requires Obeying the Law
The Mandanas-Garcia Ruling has been revisited by Governor DoDo Mandanas. Here he circled back to the initial impetus for advocating and fighting for the landmark Supreme Court decision.
The governor elaborated, "It began when I first became Governor; it is the duty of anyone in office to really thoroughly study the law; we are a country whose law we recognize...and it is very clear, that there are activities that help people that the one who can do better is the national government, there is also a local government."
He went on to say that local governments need their share of the pie to provide the legally mandated services in areas like social protection, education, healthcare, agriculture, and even tourism.
The government has communicated. There is evidence that when local governments are given adequate and proper powers, service delivery to the public improves and occurs more quickly.
When asked about his experiences fighting for what he saw as his "just share," Batangas's local chief executive recalled how he persevered even when no one else supported or believed in him.
Money from the [local governments] should be distributed to the people, but "the right share is not given," as the governor put it. "It's simple, follow the law when we have good governance," he continued. Experience.
The governor took the opportunity to thank former Bataan governor Enrique Garcia Jr. for his contributions to the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling before the event concluded.
Governor Mandanas is currently maintaining contact with higher authorities in order to ensure the full implementation of the aforementioned Supreme Court Ruling. (with reports from Batangas Capitol PIO)
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