Economic Growth and Development
Maximizing revenue generation through efficient collection of local taxes is one of the strategies being implemented by the administration to improve financial capacity of the province. Through effective monitoring efforts by the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), a total amount of P34,314,740.97 was collected from various fees and taxes on sand, gravel, and other mineral resources in the province. Moreover, the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) collected the total amount of P75,096,237.80 from real property and business taxes, regulatory fees, service/user charges and other receipts.
Environmental Protection and Conservation
Recognizing the significance of environmental resources to sustainable development and climate adaptation, environmental programs and activities were implemented by the provincial government through the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).
The ENRO monitors the DBP Forest Plantation Project in Sta. Cruz. Occidental Mindoro and conducted tree planting activities to promote forest protection. conservation and rehabilitation.
Annual Reef Check Assessment in the established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns on coastal resources, MPA Management Planning Workshop, Reef Clean Up (SCUBAsurero) and Crown of Thoms Starfish (COTS) collection activities were conducted by the PPDO.
Preparedness on the Impact of Climate Change and Disaster Risk
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center (DRRM OpCen) and the Provincial DRRM Council (PDRRMC) were established to take lead in the conduct of planning, awareness campaign, preparedness measures, and updates on weather disturbances and other calamities. Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (LDRRMP) and Budget, Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP), and contingency plan were also formulated.
With regards to disaster preparedness, the province fully complied with the following requirements/criteria set by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on their 2019 Governance Assessment Report
✓ seventy percent (70%) utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF)
✓ early warning system are in place
✓ well-managed evacuation center
✓ search and rescue team organized, equipped and trained
✓ pre-positioning of goods
✓ conduct of relief operations
✓ provision of medical and security services
✓ Standard Operating Procedures were available such as incident command system and operation centers
✓ conduct of pre-emptive evacuation
Education
In order to attain development in the education sector, scholarship program /was implemented through joint effort of the Congressional and Provincial Government. Through this program, students under secondary and tertiary level availed free tuition fees in their respective schools in the province. A total of 5,160 students benefitted from this scholarship program.
The provincial government also provided financial assistance to elementary and secondary schools in the province through the Special Education Fund (SEF). Eligible expenditures under SEF includes operation and maintenance of public schools, construction and repair of school buildings, acquisition of facilities and equipment, conduct of educational research, purchase of books and periodicals. and sports development.
Moreover, a total of 320 Locally Paid Teachers (LPTs) and non-teaching personnel were employed from January 2019 to June 2019 to increase the workforce of public schools in the province. Sixty five LPTs were also deployed in Alternative Learning System – Learning Centers which cater out-of-school youth and adults.
Employment
The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) aims to contribute in the economic development of the province through the conduct of programs and activities that will aid in the reduction of unemployed individuals.
This office is tasked to conduct pre-employment/employment counselling program; conduct employment testing, trainings and seminars: create strong linkages/partnership with government and non-government agencies for possible job offers and information to job seekers; and organize activities relative to securing of government documents necessary for employment.
In partnership with Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), a total of 1,213 clients were served on PRC’s mobile services such as oath taking, initial registration, filing and renewal of license. A total of 695 clients were served on Philippine Statistics Authority’s mobile services. Five hundred thirty two clients were served on Department of Foreign Affair’s Passport on Wheels.
The office also organized vocational short courses in partnership with TESDA and continuous conduct of local recruitment activities in partnership with private institutions.
