Mindanaotoday.com | Zambo Norte guv gives her 1st province address
By: Misael Ondong
DIPOLOG CITY – “Enough of political wrangling. It’s time we work together to free our people from the clutches of poverty.”
This was the clarion call of Zamboanga del Norte’s top executive during her first state of the province address at the Zamboanga del Norte Cultural and Sports Center, this city, Monday, April 17.
According to Gov. Rosalina Jalosjos, she would rather attend to the immediate needs of her constituents and look for ways to improve their lot.
The governor stressed that the province has wallowed for far too long in the list of the country’s poorest provinces, and her mission is to change that.
She added that it’s about time Zamboanga del Norte rises from the doldrums and take its place among the top-performing LGUs.
In 2022, Jalosjos was among the country’s top 20 provincial executives.
The rankings were based on the results of the survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation, Inc. (RPMD).
Jalosjos used to be the mayor of Dapitan City for three consecutive terms. This is her first term as chief executive of the province.
In her speech, Jalosjos outlined the flagship achievements of her administration.
Top of the list is her push to improve the health services that are available to ordinary ZaNortehanons.
Among its key components are the P250-million annex to the ZN Medical Center and the soon-to-rise surgical complex building worth P150 million.
Also featured are the infrastructure projects worth a total of over 1.3 billion pesos, as well as her innovative agri-tourism programs that are geared towards securing the livelihood of ordinary folks and spurring economic activity in the province.
But closest to the governor’s heart are the social services rendered to individuals and families in need, including relief assistance in time of calamities.
She even got a bit emotional when she recalled the times people come knocking at her residence to plead for help.
Jalosjos is known in these parts as “Nanay Nene” and “Nanay Ayuda” for her motherly disposition and her readiness to give assistance.
In closing, the governor thanked the people of Zamboanga del Norte for giving her the chance to lead them. She is the first among the Jalosjos political clan to win as governor of the province.
“I am so honored to serve as your governor, and I can’t wait to shape the future of our amazing province with your help,” she declared. (MT)
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