Tacloban City – Four Leyte and two Samar towns signified to support the implementation of Makamasang Tugon in their respective municipalities during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement held August 4, 2011 at the Leyte Park Resorts Hotel.

The Leyte towns of Julita, La Paz, Mahaplag, and San Isidro and the Samar towns of Pinabacdao and Sta. Margarita are now officially Makamasang Tugon municipality-recipients.

Makamasang Tugon, a community-driven development initiative adheres to the very same principles and processes espoused by the KALAHI-CIDSS Program spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In his brief welcome message, DSWD Field Office Eight’s Assistant Regional Director Jaime Eclavea expected that all stakeholders observe Project processes and requirements. During the open forum, Eclavea also asked for the full support of the municipalities and assured them that the DSWD will help them iron out difficulties that might affect the delivery of municipal commitments.

According to Mayor Mario Quijano of Pinabacdao, Samar, the requirements are stringent but their municipality needs Makamasang Tugon to address poverty issues in the communities.  “This is what we want, this is what we need,” the mayor said during the forum prior to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

Makamasang Tugon gives municipalities the chance to take the lead role in project implementation and to harmonize local investment planning with the community agenda towards development. Participating local government units are also expected to practice and mainstream the three principles – participation, transparency, and accountable in local governance.

Leading the provincial municipal chiefs of Leyte was Board Member Roque Tiu who represented Governor Jericho Petilla. The Leyte local chief executives on hand for the event were – Mayor Alan Ang of San Isidro, Mayor Lesmes Lumen of La Paz, and Mayor Irvin Dy of Julita. Mayor Ronaldo Lleve of Mahaplag was represented by SB member Aida Dizon.

Although he was not around because of official business, Mayorga Mayor, Valente Adolfo was well-represented by his municipal officers. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with Mayorga has been deferred until his availability. The Samar mayors were Mayor Mario Quijano of Pinabacdao and Mayor Alfredo Serrano, Jr. of Sta. Margarita.