Congressman Hector Sanchez last week unveiled not only what he accomplished in his first 100 days as the province’s representative to the Lower House but also his plans and priorities for the next two-and-a-half years.
In his Ulat sa Distrito rendered during the Catandungan Night on Oct. 25, 2019, the congressman detailed his accomplishments that his office achieved through consultative governance.
Among these were: the forthcoming establishment of a satellite office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the island; a request for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to provide four fire trucks for the towns of Virac, San Miguel, Bagamanoc and Caramoran; funding for proposed projects for the Department of Education Division of Catanduanes; funding for Virac development projects including runway extension and airport expansion and construction of wharf; and, P2 billion in congressional projects for 2020 now included in the National Expenditure Program.
Sanchez’s office also endorsed to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) the resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the establishment of a one-stop shop in Tabaco port for Catanduanes-bound commuters.
The 2017 resolution, sponsored by PBMs Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr. and Jose Romeo Francisco, asked the Department of Transportation to establish the one-stop shop in one location that would receive and process clearances in the transport of goods and motor vehicles to promote efficiency and ease the burden of the public.
Sanchez said he offered an airconditioned container van to PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago that would serve as mobile offices of the Philippine Coast Guard, Highway Patrol Group and ticketing booth for passengers.
The Catanduanes solon bared that he managed to include in the proposed 2020 budget the sum of P150 million for a passenger terminal at San Andres port and another P50 million for the same purpose at Codon port and Tambongon port.
His consultative approach, Sanchez said, led to his proposal to construct diversion roads in Virac and other towns that would be a better alternative to compromising residences and cutting trees along the highway as required by road widening.
“Your congressman did talk with, consulted and listened to the people and we will do this until we have heard everybody,” Sanchez stressed.
He disclosed that he helped facilitate the P13 million allocation under DOLE’s Tupad and GIP programs that would help generate jobs for Catandunganons.
An additional P7 million has been allocated for individuals and families in crisis situation and as educational assistance while P6 million went to TESDA for various skills trainings, the congressman stated.
Making a strong statement on his health care advocacy, Sanchez said he has provided in the budget P30 million for Eastern Bicol Medical Center and seven district hospitals, including seven ambulances as requested, P1.5 million for the DOH medical assistance program of which P500,000 will go to EBMC, and P15 million for the social welfare program.
He also facilitated the amount of P1 million for Bantay Kalikasan of DENR for the employment of residents in helping combat forest destruction.
The other significant accomplishments of the congressman during the last 100 days include: release of 16,000 saline tilapia fingerlings from BFAR to the different towns; DPWH bidding of 41 multi-purpose buildings, access roads leading to tourism destinations, and school buildings; educational assistance to 2,000 college students; medical assistance for 134 indigent beneficiaries; burial assistance for 16 indigents; and, transportation assistance for three (3) indigents.
Cong. Sanchez, who is vice chair of the Committee on Energy and member of 10 committees, bared that he has filed eight bills, with HB 01194 calling for the installation of a submarine electric cable, HB 01195 mandating the construction of water dams in the 11 towns, and HB 00418 in support of climate change and environmental sustainability.
He has also co-authored 21 bills, of which seven were aimed at improving electric service and the welfare of industry personnel. The bills include two calling for increased minimum salaries of public school teachers, one aiming for the modernization of regional hospitals, and one seeking the institutionalization of Malasakit Centers.
With regards to the island’s power situation, he noted that the realization of the 69-KV transmission line of Napocor and the installation of reclosers have vastly improved the services of FICELCO, with the focus on the transmission line from San Miguel to Panganiban and looping through Pandan to Caramoran and San Andres.
Sanchez said he had discussed with Napocor president Pio Benavidez the need to deploy additional diesel gensets on the island in July, with SUWECO providing the same to augment the need for extra power.
He disclosed that in September he signed a memorandum of agreement with green energy specialist Opus Energy Solutions, Inc. and a Singapore management consultancy to establish a US$300 million waste-to-energy plant in Caramoran.
The PLDT-Smart submarine cable installation project is also ongoing, he said, for stronger internet signals soon.
“My dream for Catanduanes is to have a master plan part of the urban planning, identifying respective zoning areas,” Sanchez said, including the development of Bato river as a transport and tourism site.
He added that he is in the process of engaging the professional services of a leading consultancy firm to do the feasibility study on urban planning which will be presented to interested foreign investors.