The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cagayan, through its Committee on Peace and Order and Committee on Planning and Development, both chaired by Board Member Engelbert C. Caronan, convened separate committee hearings to deliberate on the plans, objectives, and proposed programs of concerned offices and agencies in alignment with the province’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP) and budget framework.

Also present during the hearing was BM Romar F. De Asis, who took part in the discussions that aimed to ensure the effective integration of peace, order, and planning development initiatives into the overall development agenda of the Provincial Government of Cagayan.

The hearings served as a platform for departments and partner agencies to present their strategic directions and confirm that their Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) are consistent with the province’s development goals, thereby promoting coordination, convergence, and efficiency in implementation.

For the Peace and Order sector, the resource persons were composed of Ms. Vin Guzman Dela Cruz of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Mr. Mac Paul V. Alario of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), as well as representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Navy, Cagayan Provincial Police Office (CPPO), and the Philippine Army.

In his remarks, Board Member Caronan underscored the importance of adopting a strategic and convergent planning approach to ensure that all initiatives under the Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) Plan are harmonized. He emphasized that programs must effectively respond to the prevailing peace and security issues of the province through collaboration among key agencies and local government units.

Representatives from the DILG and PPDO, as part of the POPS Plan Technical Working Group, assured the committee that the proposed Peace and Order budget was formulated based on current challenges faced by the province. They further explained that a prioritization scheme was adopted to ensure that resources are efficiently allocated to address the most urgent concerns.

Meanwhile, the hearings also focused on the Gender and Development (GAD) programs of the province, where discussions centered on proposed projects and activities designed to promote gender equality, women empowerment, and gender-responsive governance.

Present during the GAD discussions were representatives from the DILG, Ms. Mila Malongga from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, other provincial employees, and Mr. Hilario Reyes, Chair of the Gender Focal Point System (GFPS).

Board Member Caronan reaffirmed the legal mandate requiring a five percent (5%) allocation of the total provincial budget for GAD-related programs and initiatives. He emphasized that these funds must be utilized judiciously, particularly for projects that support women’s employment, livelihood, and capacity-building, in alignment with the EGAY Platform of the Provincial Government of Cagayan.

-AH