Mayor Arnold A. Betita Accomplishment

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MAYOR ARNOLD A. BETITA IN TWO (2) YEARS

In the 2 years that our incumbent Municipal Mayor has occupied his position, his vision, industry and commitment to our people for the improvement of their welfare are now bearing fruits.

A MAN WITH A PURPOSE, WITH A VISION.

Our Municipal Mayor is tireless when it comes to looking for ways and means to get whatever is available for our people. Whenever he goes to Manila it is for the purpose of getting funding support for project proposals and letters to our Senators and Department Secretaries. When he goes to Iloilo City it is to ask Governor Tupas and Congressman Tupas for the services of the truck team to repair our roads, improve our Sports complex for the next CDSA athletic competing and whatever projects they could give to our barangays. His time and activities are dedicated to our people.

This is our present Municipal Mayor committed and dedicated to Carleseños. What he did for 2 years are all visible to us.

Let us acknowledge his achievement and support him continue accomplishing his vision and dreams for all of us.

SUPPORT GIVEN TO MAYOR BETITA

In his function as Municipal Mayor and doing all what is good for Carleseños, he was ably supported by the Sangguniang Bayan, Municipal Employees, Barangay Officials and the supportive and enthusiastic response of our people.

20% IRA IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS

In 2007, six (6) important projects have been implemented in the total amount of P1,816,750.00. ( Annex “A”)

In 2008, programs that were planned and implemented amounted to P7,959,894.00. (Annex “A”).

Again in 2009, 10 more projects were undertaken at a total cost of P4,135,478.00. (Annex “A”).

CARLES RE-CLASSIFIED FROM 4^TH TO 2^ND CLASS MUNICIPALITY

Classification of municipalities is based on income. For the past two years Carles increased its income due to several factors. The Internal Revenue Allocation increased by 15%. The development of a favorable business climate encouraged more investors to Carles. The continuous development of the Bancal Fish Port with the extension and expansion of the causeway and the reclamation to widen the fishport area, encouraged fishermen to sell their catch at the fishport, thus increasing the volume of fish unloaded. Fish traders from other towns get their fish supply from the fishport.

Other factors are the smooth road going to Carles and the excellent peace and order situation prevailing in the town.

The increased in revenues is due to energetic and committed political leadership.

 

BANCAL FISHPORT

The focus center of development is the Bancal Fishport. Millions of pesos (Php40M) have been invested in the project thru the relentless efforts of the Mayor for fund support from various offices and political figures particularly the Department of Agriculture and Congressman Niel “Jun-jun” Tupas, Jr.

To make the fishport wholly and conveniently operational not only to accommodate present fishermen to market their catch in Bancal but to attract more. It will also encourage buyers and other commercial traders to put up businesses at the fishport if they believe business could be profitable thru facilities available. The present causeway has to be widened and extended. The fishport site has to be expanded thru reclamation and relocation of residential houses at the site.

NATIONAL FUNDED PROJECTS THRU DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Different projects requested from the National government thru the representation and persistent follow up and effort of the Municipal Mayor were funded. These projects totaled P14,500,000.00. The biggest amount of P10,000,000,00 was for the expansion and extension of the causeway which is given priority in its development so that Bancal Fishport could be at par or even better than that of Estancia. (Annex “A”).

KALAHI-CIDSS

In addition to our Local and National funded projects the Municipal Mayor thru his initiative and support had successfully implemented the KALAHI-CIDSS projects thru Kapangyarihan at Kaunlara sa Barangay (KKB) cycle 3 (2007-2008). It will be noted that we have contributed the amount of P2,687,989.50 as our local support for the realization and implementation of these projects. The total amount invested in our municipality totaled P12,587,989.50. (Annex “B”)

Makamasang Tugon

The beneficiaries of these projects are 22 barangays. The KALAHI grant is P26,076,203.75 and our municipal counterpart is P4,076,875.75 The total amount invested for our development thru the different barangay projects is P30,151,579.50 (“Annex “B”).

National Projects

Congressman Jun-jun Tupas

Through the prodding of Mayor Betita, Congressman Junjun Tupas had given a total of P8,372,000.00 to Carles distributed to different barangays (Annex “C”).

Typhoon Frank 

Through the representation of our Mayor, Typhoon Resistant Transitional Shelter from the Philippine National Red Cross were distributed to Brgys affected by typhoon “Frank” on June 20-21, 2008. (Annex “C”).

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

LAW ENFORCEMENT DEVELOPMENT:

An amount of P5.5 million was made available thru the efforts of Mayor Betita for the construction of a police headquarters for Carles PNP Station. The construction is now on going.

The Mayor has also negotiated with the Police Director Verzosa for one Police Patrol Car now in service to our PNP.

To increase Police effectiveness in law enforcement, three (3) police detachment were established, one in Mandulao, the other two are in Gigantes Island and Sicogon Island. These detachments would ensure prompt police action and visibility in place.

The Mayor has also made available to the PNP a patrol boat to minimize illegal fishing activities in our very wide municipal waters.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT:

Sports development is included in the programs of his administration. We have hosted successfully in 2008 the 5^th Congressional Athletic Sports Association (CDSA) Meet. Our guests particularly Municipal and Dep. Ed. Officials were impressed with our preparation and the municipality of Carles in general for our hospitality and progress. The Municipal Mayors and DepEd Officials have decided to again hold CDSA in Carles.

The Mayor also has organized boxing bouts and basketball tournaments held every weekend. The philosophy of the Mayor is to harness and channel the energy and talent of our youth to instill sport discipline and make them productive members of society.

Manufacture of bleachers of our gym is now undergoing for the comfort and convenience of our spectators during our boxing bouts and basketball games.

CARLES FOUNDATION DAY:

Going back to the history of foundation of the municipality of Carles he gave true credit to our ancestors who were the pillars and movers in the creation of Carles into town. We celebrated for the first time the 147^th Foundation Day of Carles with a simple but symbolic ceremony. The acts of our ancestors were recognized thru posthumous awards. The awards of acknowledgement included previous leaders who are still around with us.

CEMETERY DEVELOPMENT:

The Municipal Mayor improved our local cemetery by providing a lighting system. Unfortunately, however, the electric wires were stolen but were replaced again. Path walks were also constructed inside.

COMFORT/CONVENIENCE PROGRAM:

Anticipating convenience and comfort needs of our people, Mayor Betita was able to secure funds for the construction of a first class comfort room at the Municipal plaza and another comfort room at the fish port in Bancal.

FIRE PROTECTION:

Several letters were sent to DILG Secretary Puno to provide Carles with a fire truck. This request is being followed thru the Fire Protection Bureau Chief.

HEALTH SERVICES:

In addition to the normal function of our Municipal Health Office, we have done other important aspect of health services.

Philhealth Cards were given to our indigent constituent distributed to all barangays. This Philhealth Card would qualify them a big discount in the event they are hospitalized. We have also organized an anti-rabies team that to treat rabbies victims and to eliminate stray dogs.

We have an additional Medical Officer (Dr. Salvilla), nurses and midwives to improve health service to our people.

The Mayor wrote a letter to the Department of Health and PCSO to provide us with a floating clinic and a seaborne ambulance. The Mayor is also following up our letter request for additional land ambulance.

ROADS:

There are projects that are not even programmed but the Mayor was able to secure funds for its construction. We have the farm to market road from Barangay Bancal to Cabuguana and the other farm to market road in Sitio Camendez, Brgy. Bancal. Cabuyoc street in barangay Poblacion is already cemented. Thru persistent and frequent request to Congressman “Jun-Jun” Tupas, Jr. and the 3^rd Engineering District the Carles to Balasan national road has been repaired and improved and continuously maintained. Our motorists are now passing through the road smoothly and comfortably. At present Labao Street in Barangay Poblacion to Barangay Punta is being cemented. This project is constructed using Countryside Development Fund (CDF) from IRA.

CLEAN AND GREEN PROGRAM:

Immediately upon assumption of office on July 1, 2007, the Mayor immediately procured one dump truck to gather garbage at the public market and Barangay Poblacion streets. Eventually, garbage at Bancal public market was included in the garbage collection.

Then garbage receptacles were also procured for selective dumping or collection of garbage. These garbage receptacles were distributed throughout the Poblacion streets.

WATER SYSTEM

Another problem we have is to make available to our people a water system for potable water. Contact was made with Administrator Rolando Pichay for the creation of a Water District and Hon. Pichay approved its organization after compliance with some requirements. Alfredo B. Espino, Manager of Local Water Utilities Administration, with its area of operation. Visayas has been contacted and help in the preparation of requirement. The initial requirement is the organization a Carles Water District Board that will plan and comply with the requirements of LWUA.

LETTER TO DIFFERENT HIGHER OFFICES

Letters were sent to senators, department secretaries and other government agencies requesting for financial support/projects: (Annex “D”).

PURSUE THE VISION . . . . . . . . MARCH FORWARD

SHORT RANGE (ONE YEAR) DEVELOPMENT PLAN FISCAL YEAR 2010.

For fiscal year 2010 planned for implementation/completion are the following:

1. Steel bridge between Barangay Dayhagan, Carles, Iloilo and Barangay Dayhagan, Pilar. (on-going)

2. Circumferential coastal road from Barangay Dayhagan passing thru Barangays Guinticgan, Barosbos, Poblacion, Punta, Cabuguana, then connect with the Provincial Road from Bancal to Barangay Abong.

3. Circumferential coastal road from Sitio Langub, Barangay Granada to Barangay Asluman. This road will go around the coast of Gigante Norte. The construction of this road has been started from Asluman to Parola.

4. The existing road from Barangay Lantangan to Gabi is already cemented. Due for widening is the existing road that connects Barangay Asluman and Granada.

5. Water system for Carles. We do not have a potable water system. Through the personal request of the Mayor to Administrator Rolando Pichay, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Alfredo B. Espino Manager of Visayas LWUA operation was directed to assist Carles put up a water district. Carles Water District was organized and will prepare plans and programs for this proposed water system.

6. Continue with the development of the Bancal Fish Port and Bagsakan Center.

7. Attract businessmen in Carles by making the town conducive to business ventures.

8. Fencing around the Municipal Cemetery and Construction of public comfort room thereat.

CARLES RE-CLASSIFIED FROM 4^TH TO 2^ND CLASS MUNICIPALITY

Classification of municipalities is based on income. For the past two years Carles increased its income due to several factors. The Internal Revenue Allocation increased by 15%. The development of a favorable business climate encouraged more investors to Carles. The continuous development of the Bancal Fish Port with the extension and expansion of the causeway and the reclamation to widen the fishport area, encouraged fishermen to sell their catch at the fishport, thus increasing the volume of fish unloaded. Fish traders from other towns get their fish supply from the fishport.

Other factors are the smooth road going to Carles and the excellent peace and order situation prevailing in the town.

The increased in revenues is due to energetic and committed political leadership.

TOURISM

Enhance our appreciation and knowledge to plan better and market tourism in Carles with its numerous white beaches especially in the island barangays.

There are plans to encourage beach resort developers through the assistance of Department of Tourism in providing information and guidelines to develop our tourism industry.

With the potential of tourism in our town, Carles was selected among 5 other municipalities in the province of Iloilo targeted by Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA)and the Department of Tourism for enhancement of tourism. A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed among the Department of Tourism, JICA and the Local Chief Executive (Mayor Betita) for this tourism program.

EDUCATION

The request of this municipality for an extension college of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) has been approved. A one hectare lot donated by the heirs of the late Amado Andrada located at Barangay Poblacion is now available. Construction of the necessary building facilities may start anytime. It is expected that the college could open this coming June 2010.

PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps)

Carles is one of the few towns all over the Philippines chosen to be the recipient of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. A total of 1800 families indigent families of 6 barangays, namely: Asluman, Granada, Gabi, Lantangan, Bancal and Pantalan were selected by the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) based on the criteria to become the recipients of 4Ps aid for 5 years in the amount ranging from P800-P1,400.00.