The responsibilities of dynamic and quality service lies on the shoulders of the present municipal administrators who must continuously prove they are resolute stewards of the community.

     This administration, therefore, firmly resolves to pursue more vigorously the national government thrust to work continuously for total development, progress and prosperity. It will embark on projects and activities designed in the short term as well as in the long term for the upliftment of the masses.

     It will undertake some bold measures to improve the three services associated with development so as not to be outdone by the progress achieved by the other municipalities. The three services are as follows: economic services, social services, and general public services.

     As was done in the past, activities such as: the celebration of Independence Day and the sponsorship of a summer festival, which consists of sports, choral and beauty contest, will again be undertaken. Foremost of all these activities, however will be the Sambali Festival during the festival season of our Lady of Piat, which has become and integral part on the calendar of activities of the Department of Tourism.

     Piat is undoubtedly the premier tourist spot of the region because of the presence of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Piat, but Piat is also envisioned to be known of something else. It will be developed in such a way that the slopes on all sides of the town proper will be terraced and planted with ornamental trees and flowering plants. Its streets will be lighted, drainage system will be installed, and Hostel/Lodging house will be constructed.Aside from these, Children Park and playground will be put up. Part of this park will be a bird zoo populated by birds, which used to abound in Cagayan.

     Certainly, with the completion of the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium, Piat will also become a center of athletic activities not only catering to the people of Piat but even to the people as far as Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya. On development programs, the focus shall be on setting up livelihood projects under the auspices of different reputable national and international agencies who are expected to provide technical assistance and funding. These will complement future plans to construct component infrastructures, form cooperatives and restore productive activities in the different sectors in the community.

     The municipal government plans to undertake the following programs in coordination with the different supporting agencies in non-formal education: sending of barangay officials and residence to community service training and some of its on municipal officials and employees to seminar workshops for upgrading.

     As to Health and Nutrition, The Sub-Task Force on Nutrition is made to intensify its nutrition drive and services. This has to be undertaken to minimize the morbidity and mortality rates and primarily caused by malnutrition. Success can be achieved with the joint working efforts of the local, national and different assisting agencies assigned in the municipality.

     Food assistance, nutrition, information and education, health protection and food production are the four intervention schemes to be adopted to improved the nutritional status of the vulnerable groups composed of infants, pre-schoolers, pregnant and nursing mothers and school children.

     A new future in health delivery service will be the extension of assistance to indigent patients in terms of medicines, doctor’s fees and accommodation. It is motivated by the saying: “No patient shall ever be refused medical attention by reason of poverty.”

     In the case of Agriculture, intensification of production in all agricultural components such as livestock and poultry, rice and corn, sugar cane, tobacco, vegetable and fruit trees is the present thrust. Strategic developmental goal is to maximize productivity in terms of existing hectares and utilization of idle but arable lands.

     But this thrust can only achieve success and greater impact if the national government intensifies it support in making available at affordable price high yielding variety seeds, fertilizers and chemicals; if it embarks in the construction and expansion of irrigation facilities, farm to market roads, provides technological expertise in multiple cropping: fish and poultry farming and provides other supportive services through financial institutions, cooperative organizations, marketing and distribution system.

     Honest and dedicated public service in its broadest sense will be stressed. The present administration having been given the privilege to serve the municipality is committed to do its best to bring the government closer to the people and the people closer to the government. This objective can only be attained however if there is enough fund support from the national government, as well as the loyal support of the zealous dedication of all officials and employees of the national and local government.

     Moreover, the national government should bear in mind that “There’s a moral reason to help the municipality of Piat, because it’s one place of the few places on earth where the power and presence of GOD can be intimately experienced.”

     Wherefore, the municipality of Piat also wishes to reiterate its firm commitment to the thrust enunciated by the national government.

Leonel C. Guzman

MPDO & DaNi Productions2007