Batac sets pro-poor programs

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

City of Batac—With aims of improving the Bataqueños’ quality of living, the city government here is setting pro-poor programs and policies, primarily with regards to building application and other related permits.

In a regular Sangguniang Panlungsod session, councilors here unanimously passed a measure that will set the city government’s thrust toward this goal.

Batac councilor Lucky Rene Bunye, who moved for its approval, said the measure is based on the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as an indicator to accurately measure poverty.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Board Resolution NO. 01 series of 2017-129 determines the poverty threshold (PT) and has set the minimum income/expenditure requirement for a family/individual to meet the basic food and non-food requirements.

Section 209 of the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) states that “Traditional Indigenous Family Dwellings shall be exempted from payment of building permits”.    

This means buildings that are constructed with native materials such as bamboo, nipa, logs or lumber and the total cost does not exceed PHP15,000.00 are considered to be owned by indigenous families.

The measure aims to help improve the quality of living and at the same time provide and effective public service to Bataqueños that empowers them to become active partners in ensuring political, social, cultural, ecological, and economic development for a better quality of life.

According to Mr. Bunye, the measure covers all persons living in poverty who are bona fide residents of the city as approved by the DSWD.

Relative to this, the Local Chief Executive will also propose the necessary appropriation of funds intended for its implementation depending on the actual costs of the program subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

In addition, the city government of Batac is also set to implement the “Pasilaw and Plano Pro-Poor Program”.

This is in relation with the approved two resolutions which authorizes Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) representing the city government of Batac with Mariano Marcos State University to be represented by its President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis for the
“Pasilaw and Plano Pro- Poor Program”.

Batac councilor Bismark Angelo A. Quidang, who sponsored the measure, said that the “Pasilaw” program aims to energize all residential houses and dwellings within the city.

The beneficiaries of said program are those who cannot afford to hire services of electrical engineers for the electrical plan and materials needed for the installation wherein it needs the supervision of a registered master electrician (RME).

Likewise, the city government, thru the building officer, needs to enforce overall administrative control and/or supervision of buildings/structures in the processing of building permit applications and certificates.

No person, firm or corporation can construct, alter, repair, and occupy any building/structure without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Official.

Relative to this, the city’s “Plano Pro-Poor Program” also aims to help beneficiaries who cannot afford to hire services of civil engineers for the preparation of architectural/civil/structural plan and plumbing plan.

This is where MMSU comes in.

The university’s College of Engineering has registered RMEs and civil engineers capable of doing the jobs which also serves as training for MMSU students to familiarize and practice their skills in their chosen field. 

The Ilocos Times tried to get the reaction of Dr. Agrupis but she was unavailable for comment as of press time.