Greetings!

Guided by the mission and vision of this provincial government, it has always been my aspiration to share and keep them abreast of the accomplishments we painstakingly achieved for the betterment of the province and the people.

The realization of this aspiration has come. With this, it is my prevalent hope that everything will be pulled out from the murky interpretations so that exact issues and concerns, plans and programs, and activities that transpired are made clear.

I am glad the department heads and employees have contributed chunks of valuable information. I believe that our achievements cannot entirely be contained in this material, but somehow essential facts are shown in this will continue regularly so that everybody will have a glimpse of how this government unit carry o this mandate and commitments.

Let me then take this opportunity to name some of the projects and programs we have accomplished this year:

? In social welfare services , we successfully maintain the Child Minding Center, through Early Childhood Care and Development program (ECCD); we sustain also the operations of 66 day Day Care Centers and Camiguin Women's Training Center in the entire province, and implement the programs of Women (KALAPI Kalipunan Ng Liping Pilipina), Older Person's (Ops), Persons with Disability (PWDs) and gave various assistance to indigents. A total of 1,893 mixed clients benefitted from the assistance we extended, which included the one-shot food assistance, containing groceries for the whole family to share this Christmas Season. The Department of Social Welfare and Development- Field Office-X is in close coordination in assisting us in the implementation of livelihood projects known as the Self Employment Assistance Para Sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K).

? For our infrastructure projects, one of our major programs, which is still on-going is the development of the Benoni Port in Mahinog. Its perimeter fencing shall start sometime next year. I am happy to report also that as of this October, the concreting of nine(9) Farm-to-Market roads scattered around the island has been completed (Dept. Of Agriculture Funded). And more are still on its way to completion. The 20% Development Fund of CY 2008 was able to fund various concreting and improvement of roads and buildings. This included the repair of our ambulance, 12 hospital apartments and the main building of Camiguin General Hospital (CGH), and the recent construction of the CGH House of Worship/chapel.

? We have also managed to raise farmers' production and profit. Increasing productivity and income of small farmers and fisher folks is the major weapon by which we can fight hunger and poverty in the province. The crop sector shared almost 60% in the total agricultural output. Palay production showed an increase of 11%, while corn increased at 2%. Other Camigun products that contributed to a better yield are banana, root crop, coconut and lanzones fruits. This year, fishery posted a remarkable increase in their catch compared to the previous years.

? In relation to our infrastructure projects, we have completed the construction of the Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement and the rehabilitation of Communal Irrigation Projects in order to sustain the growth of our agricultural sector. We have continued the credit assistance through Plant Now Pay Later program (PNPL) not only to increase the income of small agricultural households, but to ease the unemployment problem in the province.

These come to show that heads of this government unit are committed themselves to perform their department's tasks. Inch by inch, higher and higher we have attained our collective output. We will not cease to generate best results and will continue to accomplish our objectives ensuring good governance. We will pursue action plan pertaining to agriculture, delivery of quality health and social services, quality and affordable education, infrastructure, tourism promotion, clean environment and better fiscal management. Each department shall not withhold its effort in attaining our common goal.

This is not the end of it, as there shall be more to come, more to do and more to impart.

God bless us all.

Mabuhay ang Camiguin!