During their third quarter meeting, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 2 and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 2 expressed their support for local government units (LGUs) to adopt a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Code and to join Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZs).

Through a joint resolution, the RDC 2 and the RPOC 2 enjoined all LGUs of Region 2 to follow the good example set by Cauayan City which became the first local government in the region to adopt a PPP Code.

During his presentation of the initiative, Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino M. Dy, who sits as chairperson of the RDC 2-Committee on Development Administration and Communication (CODAC), said that the PPP Code entices the business sector to be involved in the implementation of development projects in the locality.

“The Cauayan City local government recognizes the role of the private sector in accelerating infrastructure development and economic growth,” said Mayor Dy.

The CODAC Chair added that the PPP Code contains specific guidelines and procedures for selecting private sector proponents.

“Through this PPP Code, the LGU has successfully established projects such as the Hacienda San Luis and the rehabilitation of the public market,” Mayor Dy stated.

“There are other projects that are in the pipeline such as the establishment of a slaughterhouse, entertainment area, water treatment plant, and the outsourcing of garbage collection and security details,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Dy reported on yet another proposal that enjoins all LGUs in Region 2 to join ILHZs set up all over the country.

He said that doing so will help the LGUs better protect the public and improve the collective health of the community by assuring access to a range of health services.

“More importantly, working with other LGUs will help them manage their limited resources on health more efficiently and equitably,” the Mayor added.

Existing ILHZs in the country must strengthen their operations and sustain their functionality. A functional ILHZ should be one that provides health benefits to its individual residents and to the population of the zone it is part of.

Understanding the importance of these two proposals endorsed by the CODAC, the RDC 2 and the RPOC 2 jointly endorsed two resolutions supporting these. #