By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)
LAOAG CITY– The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has certified its commitment for a long-lasting partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government after granting it the land utilization request for the construction of a permanent building for its provincial office personnel.
On February 27, 2020, employees of the DILG both from the provincial and municipal levels are all smiles as they witnessed the signing of the deed of usufruct agreement between the PGIN led by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc and DILG Regional Director James Fadrilan at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall in this city.
According to Mr. Fadrilan, employees of the DILG provincial office have long been longing for a permanent office building after moving from one place to another where there is space available for rent.
“Today marks the beginning of a new and significant chapter in our organization. It is indeed a big blessing for us to finally have a provincial office we can truly call our own,” said Mr. Fadrilan citing the difficulty of renting a space which you cannot just improve right away unless you have the owner’s consent.
Early on, the DILG Central Office has assured a budget allocation for the immediate construction of a new provincial office building once they secure a government lot for it.
“We will forever be grateful and we commit to be your dependable partner in the pursuit of good governance,” he added.
Located on a 500-square meter property of the provincial government at Brgy. 2 Sta. Joaquina, this city, the new DILG Provincial Office building will be constructed soon and it is expected to provide better and direct services to the Ilocanos.
Like the Commission on Audit which was likewise granted a provincial government lot for the establishment of its new two-storey building, also in the same lot area, the governor said the DILG plays a critical role in local governance and it is just proper for them to have a permanent place in the city.
“We have been in close relationship with DILG because of so many directives and we look forward to a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship with DILG in your soon-to-be new home,” said Mr. Manotoc.
The grant of DILG’s land utilization request is in accordance with the Provincial Resolution No. 086-2020 which was unanimously approved by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecile Araneta-Marcos recently.
