It all began with a vision of the current Local Chief Executive (LCE) of a green, resilient, sustainable, and smart city of Loreto.
Brief History
Before the municipality was named Loreto, it was called a Rancheria (a small Indian settlement in Spanish America and the western US). Merriam-Webster defines the word as a dwelling place of a ranchero (a person who farms or works on a ranch) and a small settlement often consisting of huts occupied, especially by Amerindians or Mexicans. That was in 1879.
In 2003, DPWH restricted the digging up of groundwater in the middle and lower parts of the (Umajam) river system because of the “reportedly” occurrence of natural gas.
In 2012, Loreto experienced a phenomenon that made it featured on national television and became one of the trending topics on social media. They call it “fish rain.”
In 2019, the municipality was in the spotlight because of Miss Earth International 2019. The efforts and hard work of the current municipal Mayor made Loreto more known (in a positive way) with the help of social media platforms such as Youtube and Facebook.
The Need
In 2018, the poverty incidence in the municipality reached 44.37%. If we will consider the international poverty line ($1.90 per day - updated from the previous poverty line of $1.25 to $1.90 in 2015) set under Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG1) of the United Nations, the total poverty incidence could be higher because the poverty threshold stated in the survey is Php 22,957 per capita annually. Dividing it by the number of days in a year (365 days in 2015), each household (average size of 4) lives below Php 62.90 per day.
The proportion of unemployed persons in the labor force is also high (49.40% of the total labor force population of 25,513), and female has the highest share (57.70%) based on the 2018 CBMS survey.
The Bases and Proofs
A study conducted by Pre’çis World Bank Operations Evaluations Department proved that an economic enterprise can reduce (if not eradicate) poverty. To quote, “Pulilan, for example, was in a low-income class of municipalities before it financed a public market through MDP. By 1995, when the MDP project was completed, the municipality had moved up to the second income class, the living standard of its 60,000 people had risen significantly, and its own municipal revenues rose from 7 million to 25 million pesos.”
“Growth will be more inclusive as manifested by a lower poverty incidence in rural areas – from 30 percent in 2015 to 20 percent in 2022.” That is one of the expected outcomes from the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 of the outgoing President, Rodrigo R. Duterte that this LGU is aiming for and hoping it is continued or enhanced by the coming administration.
The Present
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| Cover page of the Business Plan |
The feasibility studies, business plans, and ordinance of the (proposed) economic enterprises were crafted and approved. All of that happened because of the leadership of the current Municipal Mayor and her team.
With guidance from the local/national/international agencies and governments, including the Manual on Setting Up and Operation of Local Economic Enterprises published by the Department of Budget and Management, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Loreto is on its way to achieving a self-reliant and sustainable local economic enterprises.
Proactive Actions
Before launching the economic enterprises, the LCE and her team spread the word online and through word of mouth.
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| Photos of the Bai Umajam 2022 Candidates with the Mayor and the nationally/internationally known guests Photo Soutce: Mindanao Times |
During the 2022 Umajam Festival, national and internationally known artists/models witnessed the beauty of the new Loreto through an invitation from the Mayor. That bridged Loreto to the government of Toronto, Canada.
The local artists — talented and creative Manobo of Loreto has now the opportunity to showcase their talents and creations to the international market by joining a festival in Canada.
The Projections
Most of the health and social problems in the municipality are attributable to its economic situation. We are confident that the solution to the major socio-economic problems of Loreto is the effective implementation of the LEEs and the related projects. That will eventually result in a progressive Loreto in the coming years.
With the right management, the LEEs can certainly help achieve the social and economic development objectives of the Municipality of Loreto, Agusan del Sur.