DAVAO ORIENTAL – Governor Nelson Dayanghirang says that the provincial government is prioritizing the general welfare of his Davao Oriental constituents, particularly in terms of food security, over other infrastructure projects which he said can wait until next year. 

Governor Dayanghirang said that the provincial government is currently focusing on COVID-related interventions to be included in the provincial government’s budget. These include the procurement of food supplies for the continuous distribution of food rations as well as other interventions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have to be ready with our logistics. We have to prioritize our budget preparation for the food rationing, should the public health emergency still persist in the next few months,” he added.

To address the province’s urgent needs, the provincial government, through the Local Finance Committee and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is now exploring ways to tap the province’s 20 percent Local Development Fund to be utilized for food provision and other priority programs for COVID-19.

“Needless to say, the lives of my people are far more important, even more important than other projects. We can do away with projects this year as long as the people will not go hungry,” he said.

While most of these projects are infrastructure-related which are supposed to be for implementation this year, these will not be push through at the moment due of the public health emergency. Nevertheless, Governor Dayanghirang said he is optimistic that these will be implemented by next year. By: Neela Duallo