26 June 2015 – As Palaweňos gather in Puerto Princesa for the “2015 Baragatan (Get-together) sa Palawan” to celebrate the 113th Founding Anniversary of Palawan’s Civil Government from June 15 to 23, barangay officials from Palawan’s 367 barangays are now coming in batches to RCO Puerto Princesa to apply for passports. Governor Jose Chavez Alvarez informed Ms. Liza Jane Estalilla, Officer-in-Charge of RCO Puerto Princesa, that he would like all barangay officials (barangay captains, secretaries, treasurers and kagawad) of Palawan to have their passports ready to enable them to travel to Kota Kinabalu within this year for an exposure trip and educational tour. Aside from its proximity to Palawan, the Governor found in Kota Kinabalu many good practices on governance, livelihood and community development that barangay officials from Palawan can learn from and replicate in their respective barangays. He said that this initiative is just the start of many other ventures that the Provincial Government of Palawan intends to pursue with its closest neighbours and some ASEAN countries as the Philippines gears up for ASEAN integration.
To further orient the barangay officials on passport requirements, RCO Puerto Princesa’s other services and its “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-abroad?” advocacy against human trafficking and illegal recruitment, Abraham M. Ibba, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay – Palawan Chapter invited Ms. Estalilla to be one of the Resource Speakers in the 2nd Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay Convention held from June 15 to 17 at the A & A Plaza Hotel in Puerto Princesa City. Congressman Franz “Chicoy” E. Alvarez (Palawan District 1 Representative) and Governor Alvarez were also present during the presentation.
Governor Alvarez thanked Ms. Estalilla for RCO Puerto Princesa’s active participation and support in the Provincial Government’s various programs. END