Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!
To say the past years were challenging is truly an understatement. There is no denying the obstacles we have faced over the recent years — as individuals and communities, as an LGU and workplace, and as a society at large. In the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, we proved to be resilient, and that our dedication to our values of putting our constituents first and thinking long term not only guides us through uncertain conditions, but enables us to thrive.
As it did in 2020, the pandemic affected nearly every aspect of our lives in 2021, albeit in different ways. Under these conditions, we leveraged what we learned and adapted new ways to support our people and each other consistently. It is for these reasons that I am extremely proud of the dedication and perseverance of both the officials and employees of the Provincial Government, and for their tireless efforts to support each other and our people, not just during this extraordinary period, but throughout the province’s history.
While our focus has continued to remain the same in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and increasing turnouts of the COVID-19 inoculation program, we have sustained our regular programs and increased achievement in our key priority areas especially on health, agriculture, infrastructure, peace and order, anti-drug abuse, gender and development, youth empowerment, social protection, disaster preparedness, environmental management and protection, business friendliness and competitiveness, and tourism, culture and the arts preservation and promotion. Most importantly, we have set the direction of our future through the formulation of our VISION 2040 or the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) 2020-2040, a landmark planning document for this administration that certainly defines our overall development framework for the province and translates our vision into practical strategies that can be implemented.
In order move Lanao del Sur forward to a destination of equality, prosperity and a better life for all, we will align our work for the next year ahead in order to prioritize areas such as defeating the coronavirus pandemic, accelerating our economic recovery, and implementing economic reforms to drive inclusive growth. We will continue to prioritize the urgent need to address the most pressing problems in our province today. Several projects are underway such as the Construction of the Provincial Infirmary and Hospital of Lanao del Sur to enhance the health care system of the province. The Provincial Infirmary is a first of its kind government-owned 30-bed capacity, while the Provincial Hospital is a 100-bed capacity level 1 hospital in Marantao, Lanao del Sur. Other equally important infrastructure projects we will be implementing include the construction of a competitive Provincial Sports Complex, and a Two-storey Provincial Food Terminal (wet and dry supermarket building). With these projects, both the economic and public health concerns of the province shall be addressed.
In many ways, we are coming out of the pandemic stronger than we were before it started. Thanks to all healthcare workers, our frontliners in the battle against COVID-19 for their bravery, resilience, and unmatched spirit of sacrifice. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the workers from other sectors such as security, social services, private groups, the international community, NGOs, CSOs, Ulama and traditional leaders. We are grateful indeed to the enthusiastic and strong-willed leaders at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong for their continued support in our endeavors. Our equal appreciation goes out to the national government, including the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Senators and Lanao’s two Congressmen.
We will work hard, push challenging and invisible boundaries together; and we will sail together for:
“a Lanao del Sur that is home to a vibrant, progressive, equitable, and prosperous economy that preserves our unique culture and ecosystem”.
These are the words of our Lanao del Sur Vision 2040. This is my dream for our province. And, let that be our shared dream too.
And, I know in my heart, that if we make these steps together, we will make Lanao del Sur so much better—much, much better.
Maraming Salamat po!