NEDA Official Calls for Stronger Collaboration with RDC, BLISST
July 4, 2015
BAGUIO CITY – National Economic and Development Authority- Cordillera (NEDA-CAR) Assistant Regional Director Jedidia Aquino shared recommendations to help address the growing socio-economic and environmental challenges of this capital town as a result of increasing population and advancing technology.
“The challenges being experienced by La Trinidad are not a monopoly of this town. Such issues permeate other communities in the region and in fact, in the whole country. When issues are similar among political units, a common forum where discussions are pursued and solution are generated may be our best bet,” Aquino said as she called on the local government unit (LGU) to further strengthen collaboration with the Regional Development Council (RDC).
Aquino, who was the guest of honor during the 65th Foundation Day of the municipality on June 16, explained that with the vast experiences and resources of its members, “the RDC can serve as a platform for transforming dialogues into insights, insights into agenda, agenda into actions, and actions into impact.”
She also pushed for continued engagement with the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay (BLISTT) group in discussing development issues and solutions transcending LGU boundaries like the rehabilitation of Balili River, local water sources, garbage, among others.
“Among the municipalities in Benguet, La Trinidad has the smallest land area; yet, it carries the highest population of 107,188 (2010),” and continues to attract in-migration due to its bustling economy, and results to issues on congestion, traffic, air and water pollution and related environmental concerns like illegal logging, encroachment in watershed areas and more garbage, which radiates to towns that surround it”, she said.
She also commended the LGU’s level of networking with other organizations that resulted to successful partnerships from external sources.
Aside from these institutional efforts, Aquino encouraged everyone to have an active role to achieve changes for the better. “Let’s reflect on what matters to us. Is it family or comfort? Is it relationship or materials things? Is it what our government can give us or what we can give to our community? Is it I or We?”
She also called for everyone to “nurture our children; let us be there when they need us for guidance; empower our women so they don’t have to leave home and become targets of abuse and maltreatment.”
In parting, Aquino urged the public to “get back to the basic values of honesty and integrity, love and respect, giving and sharing instead of taking, continue to build on the gains of our predecessors rather than reinventing the wheel, and continue to be resilient and able to rise amidst the challenges of our times.”/JDP/JBZ PIA CAR