BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- The Commission on Population and Development Caraga presented the localization strategy of the Philippine Population and Development Program (PPDP) in compliance to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved POPCOM Devolution Transition Plan (DTP) to the local government units (LGUs) of Caraga region.

POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano and his senior staff conducted a briefing to the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) and gave orientation-briefing among the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panglungsod, and Sangguniang Bayan members in session from the different provinces, cities, and municipalities in the region to support the program thrusts and direction of the PPDP within the context of devolution as prescribed by Executive Order 138 and its IRR. An ordinance template was also endorsed to the LGUs for the establishment of population and development office of the LGUs.

The said orientation also guided the local chief executives on how to assume the population and development services, Family Planning (FP) services and services for the welfare of children and adolescents starting 2022 in the light of the full devolution as mandated by the Supreme Court (SC) ruling on Mandanas-Garcia petition. 

 RD Makinano is hopeful that the said services will be prioritized and will get increased support and commitment from the LCEs and other stakeholders. The director cited that DBM Local Budget Memorandum (LBM) No. 82 provides the National Tax Allotment (NTA) which shall be used to fund the full devolution of the basic services of the National Government Agencies (NGAs) with approved DTP.

As of this writing, DBM has approved the DTP of only two NGAs, which POPCOM is one. (Dian Joy L. Martinez, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)