Aris turns over master plans to 2nd District brgys

MASTER PLAN. Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) accepts a copy of the Integrated Barangay Master Plan prepared by the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of the Interior and Local Government from NEDA Deputy Director General Margarita Songco while NEDA Region 7 Dir.Efren Carreon and DILG Bohol Director Loisella Lucino look on. At right, government development partners witness the turn over from Songco to Aumentado. Fotos: ROMEL TERUEL

By JUNE S. BLANCO
  

REP. Erico Boyles Aumentado may already have gone ahead to the Great Beyond, but his dream to accelerate the development of the countryside especially in Bohol’s 2nd District is now one step closer to realization in his son and Congressional successor, Erico Aristotle.

The younger Aumentado led turnover rites of the Integrated Barangay Development Master Plan to the mayors, vice mayors – and to the barangay captains of all villages in the district – at the Kiddies Farm in Calanggaman, Ubay town.

He said the barangay master plan using the integrated area development strategy will become the road map of development in the villages, thereby ensuring the continuity of development regardless of changes of governance.

Deputy Director General (DDG) Margarita Songco of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said with the barangay master plan, all funding agencies shall have a ready reference to accurately answer the concerns of the barangays – gathered during several consultations with the communities. 

She said the late solon was a visionary leader – a cut above the rest. Just months after the executive order on bottom-up budgeting (BuB) was released, the late Aumentado immediately poured in P1.1 million from his pork barrel to implement the barangay master planning, with NEDA and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Visayas spearheading the process for all the 346 barangays in the district.

For his part, NEDA Region 7 Dir. Efren Carreon said the elder Aumentado was a man determined to improve the lives of his constituency. He had left no stone unturned to assure the completion of his dreams, now pursued by his son.

Local Government Affairs head Anthony Damalerio who represented Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto recognized Aris’ determination in seeing things done. He expressed appreciation for the father and son for their exemplary leadership. 

Also with Songco, Carreon and Damalerio were DILG Bohol Dir. Loisella Lucino, Social Welfare Region 7 Dir. Mercedita Jabagat, Dr. Portia Reyes of the Department of Health (DOH) Bohol representing DOH- Center for Health Development Region 7 Dir. Jaime Bernadas, Education Region 7 Dir. Carmelita Dulangon, Labor and Employment Region 7 Dir. Chona Mantilla, Trade and Industry Region 7 Dir. Asteria Caberte and Public Works and Highways Engr.Froilan.