OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)—Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal highlighted first quarter accomplishments that include health and hospital services, agriculture, tourism, education, rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA), and provision of financial assistance to the affected families brought about by a shear line in the province. 

To improve the lives of Misamisnons, Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal shared that the health and welfare of his constituents were his utmost priorities. 

"Ang atong hospital services ato nang na improve. Ang atong gisaad na free hospitalization sa lima ka (we have improved our hospital services. Our promised hospitalization to the five) province-owned hospitals are already in place. We had funded the renovations of our five hospitals and completed the additional buildings of Doña Maria D. Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City, Tudela Hospital, Jimenez Medicare Hospital, Calamba District Hospital, and Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital," Oaminal said.

During the press conference, Oaminal announced the construction of the Asenso Misamis Occidental Medical Center in Talairon with P200 million in funding from the provincial government. 

"Ang maong hospital dili lang magserbisyo sa mga indigent, dili lang mag serbisyo sa mga pobre kundili tanang Misamisnon whether pobre ka or maka-afford. Kung ang atong hospital equip na with such world-class services, then ang ilang panahon nga mo adto sa Cebu ug Manila ma-save and then ikaduha mas barato na," Oaminal stressed.

(This hospital will not only serve the indigent; it will not only serve the poor but all Misamisnons, whether you are poor or can afford it. If our hospital is equipped with such world-class services, then their time to go to Cebu and Manila will be saved, and secondly, it will be cheaper.)

He also made a representation to the national government for additional funds, with Senator Allan Cayetano giving P200 million and then 1st District Rep. Jason Almonte sharing P60 million, as well as some funding from the Department of Health through its Health Facilities Enhancement Program.

 "Through our representation, dunay (there is) P100 million for 2022 and P55 million for the year 2023. Hopefully, atong (we will) target that by the first quarter of next year, ma-operate na ang maong (we can operate the) hospital and with that kind of standard because we are desiring to have that world-class service hospital," Governor Henry Oaminal said.
 
For agriculture, the provincial government of Misamis Occidental vows to implement the Asenso Rice Farmers Full Assistance Program, from land preparation to providing seedlings, fertilizer, and post-harvest facilities.

"With this Asenso Rice Full Assistance Program, atong gitunguha nga motaas ang yield or output sa rice farming, muubos ang production cost ug suma total mo increase ang income sa farmers. Pag increase sa income sa farmers then it will follow nga makatabang sa ekonomiya. Mo-taas ang percentage sa contribution sa agriculture ngadto sa atong GDP," he said.

(With this Asenso Rice Full Assistance Program, we aim to increase the yield or output of rice farming, lower the production cost, and increase the total income of the farmers. If the income of farmers increases, then it will follow that this will help the economy. The percentage of the contribution of agriculture to our GDP will increase)

As for tourism, Governor Henry Oaminal also shared the Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park, Asenso Global Gardens, Migpangi Boulevard and Port Development in Bonifacio, Sapang Dalaga Falls, Floating Playground, and other tourist spots in the province. 

Oaminal said the goals of tourism in Misamis Occidental are to bring in more investors, create jobs, and bring in money. He said this by talking about his plans for the province.

Oaminal encouraged the city and municipal mayors to make their respective localities tourism-ready so that the provincial government can prepare tour packages for visitors and tourists.

Meanwhile, to intensify education programs in the province, Oaminal will implement the One Family, One Professional program for the school year 2023–2024. This program aims to benefit 10,000 to 15,000 students starting in the first semester. 

To help the affected LGUs recover from the disaster, Oaminal also initiated the RDANA team to assess the immediate solutions wrought by the flooding in the Province of Misamis Occidental to enable the provincial government to address the issues and seek assistance from the national government.

 "Ato dayon gitagaan ug pagtagad (we then paid attention), the immediate repair was undertaken by the provincial government in coordination with the technical supervision of NIA, and then we had the support of the different businessmen, the contractors, who provided free equipment," the governor added.

We then paid attention; the immediate repair was undertaken by the provincial government in coordination with the technical supervision of NIA, and then we had the support of different businessmen, the contractors, who provided free equipment.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also gave financial support under the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to start rehabilitation and reconstruction in the province. 

In social services, the provincial government provided financial assistance to Misamisnons who were affected by the unprecedented calamity in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

Oaminal urged everyone for their continued collaboration, hard work, and synergy. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)