CABANATUAN CITY – Local chief executives in Nueva Ecija have pressed to remove borders for a “more elaborate collaboration” among government units and upgrade the delivery of basic services, including health and peace and order, to their constituents.
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Nueva Ecija (LMP-NE) headed by Peñaranda Mayor Ferdinand Abesamis approved in its regular meeting Friday to step up cooperation where adjacent towns are clustered.
“Pagdating sa health, peace and order at iba pang concerns ay wala tayong borders, iisang ugit lang tayo,” Abesamis said, saying that implementing rules are now at the drawing table.
He said that while the country practically observes borderless units under inter-local health zones, the delivery of basic services is seen to be at a higher level in a “borderless town” arrangement.
“This will eliminate bureaucratic delays,” Abesamis stressed. “Kung ano meron ako ay sa inyo rin at kung ano ang meron kayo ay sa akin din,” he said. He cited cooperation in the use of ambulances, heavy equipment, and other resources. Nueva Ecija has 27 municipalities and five cities.
The LMP-NE noted that the provincial government of Nueva Ecija has also been working to cluster these towns and cities in terms of waste management by identifying at least two areas, one in Gen. Tinio and the other in Cuyapo.
In peace and order, the LMP-NE has initiated an effort to equip all the 600 villages under their jurisdiction with CCTVs which are to have central connection with the Nueva Ecija police provincial offi ce here. “This will pave the way for effective management of our peace and order,” he said.
The high-defi nition and wireless surveillance cameras would also boost the government’s disaster response capability, he added. Nueva Ecija has a total of 849 barangays, including those in the five component cities of Cabanatuan, Gapan, Munoz, Palayan and San Jose.
Nueva Ecija police chief, Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, said they have already identifi ed the areas where these surveillance cameras will be installed. Among these areas are Gapan City, Cabiao, San Jose City, Licab and Gabaldon.
