May 25, 2021 – The fifth leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA series led by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles together with the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS) and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was held at the Provincial Capitol, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, May 25, Tuesday.

The Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA series is a prelude to the annual state of the nation address of the president of the Philippines which aims to convey to the public the legacies and ambitions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s administration by presenting a comprehensive report of the accomplishments and future plans of the national government for the country. 

The event kicked off with the warm welcome message of Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor as he declared his full-out support to the present administration. 

“Lahat tayong naririto ngayon nawa ay maging kabahagi ng pagpapalawak at pagpapakalat ng magandang balita ng tagumpay at kaunlaran ng bansa”, the Governor said as he encouraged the viewers and listeners to also help inform other people of the accomplishments of the current administration. 

The official beginning of the event was marked by Cabinet Secretary Nograles’ presentation of the Duterte administration’s accomplishments, highlighting the progress of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger in eradicating hunger and poverty in the Philippines. 

He also wished for the country’s unity amidst the pandemic and said, “It is my sincerest hope that we continue to work together towards recovery.”

Secretary Alfonso Cusi of the Department of Energy (DOE) proudly presented to his fellow Mindoreños the reforms launched by President Duterte in the country and especially in the MIMAROPA region. He emphasized the purpose of launching the pre-SONA series, that it was part of the government’s efforts of bringing the government closer to the people. Also discussed by Secretary Cusi were the setbacks experienced by the region due to the pandemic and its resiliency allowed for gradual but evident recovery. 

As the country is amid the pandemic, Department of Health (DOH) MIMAROPA Director Dr. Mario Baguilod proceeded to give a concise report on the number of active cases and vaccination updates in MIMAROPA Region. 

The other forefront government offices whose collaboration with PCOO and OCS made the event possible were the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Regional Development Councils (RDCs). 

Also present during the program are Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Alexander S. Lopez, NEDA MIMAROPA Regional Director Agustin C. Mendoza, South Luzon Commander Lieutenant General Antonio G. Parlade, Jr., DILG MIMAROPA           RD Wilhelm M. Suyko, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) MIMAROPA RD  Manuel B. Wong, PNP MIMAROPA RD PBGen. Nelson B. Bondoc, Calapan City Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan, and the key officials from various national government agencies, local government units chief executives, media, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the citizens of Oriental Mindoro.  

Oriental Mindoro Philippine Information Agency Manager (PIA) Luis Cueto also exhibited several videos detailing the progress of the country in the different cabinet clusters during the Duterte administration. 

The safety of the event was guaranteed by limiting the participants at the Provincial Capitol to only 300 people following the required social distancing measures and observing the minimum health standards set by the IATF throughout the whole program. ##

By: RIO III Karen Shayne Duarte