The Provincial Budget Office of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte spearheaded a “Budget Forum on the Preparation of Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2021,” held at Macapagal Training Center, Governor Arsenio A. Provincial Government Center compound, Pigcarangan, Tubod, on August 14, 2020.
Provincial Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza-Dimaporo in her opening statement said that majority of the budget for 2021 will focus on COVID-19 related Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs), and enjoined all office and department heads to adapt and embrace the new normal, such as participating through videoconferencing or webinar training when wanting to enhance or upgrade knowledge on a certain subject or topic, or for additional information on COVID-19 matters, and other relevant information in-line with their official mandate.
With the occurrence of local transmission in the Province of Lanao del Norte, the Provincial Chief Executive reminded the PGLDN officers to always be careful and mindful, especially in public areas, aside from wearing a face mask, face shield, observing social or physical distancing, and regular handwashing.
In addition, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte through the effective and efficient management of its financial resources, it can still sustain the medical needs of the province until December 2020.
Furthermore, Governor Angging expressed her gratitude to PGLDN medical personnel and frontliners for taking care of patients confined at the isolation units and to those who are under quarantine for 14-days at the isolation facilities, including employees assigned at the Quarantine Checkpoints to keep the general public safe and secure from COVID-19.
The Chief of Hospitals of Kolambugan Provincial Hospital, New Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, and Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital in Baroy, was praised by the Governor for actively responding to the call of establishing additional isolation facilities in the province. Kolambugan Provincial Hospital was converted into an isolation unit, including the Infirmary and the Annex buildings of the New Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, and the two (2) buildings in Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital to supplement the existing isolation unit at Old Kapatagan Provincial Hospital. The operationalization of the Provincial COVID-19 Testing Laboratory will be a key factor in curbing COVID-19 in the province, as it would lessen the waiting time for the PCR test result brought to the region, and will have sufficient time to decide on what medical treatment the patient’s need depending on the result.
Before concluding her statement, Governor Angging earnestly asked the employees to include in their prayer the health and safety of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is trying his best to find ways to protect and keep the Filipinos safe from COVID-19, and at the same time balancing between the economy and public health. PIO-LDN