Rizal: Looking Forward,
Moving Up!

The provincial administration is currently engaged in different agri and aqua undertakings to improve the lives of farm families and fisherfolks by providing a sustainable system of development. It has embarked on modernizing agriculture for efficient production system and protection, and conservation and regulation of prime agricultural land.

In its desire to alleviate poverty and to attain food security, and the rational use of land resources, global competitiveness, sustainable development and people empowerment, the provincial administration has set the following programs and projects:

As Rizal consistently maintains its image as an ideal haven for investors, the Provincial Government also emphasizes quality education in its bid to provide a well-educated, highly information- oriented and extremely capable work force ready to face the challenges of global competition . Governor Ynares through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has created the Rizal College Scholarship Foundation (RCSF), Inc. designed to provide free college education to poor but deserving students. The student-grantee enroll in a priority course under the program in college or university of their choice. Each grantee/scholar receives P10,00.00 per semester for payment of tuition, matriculation, miscellaneous, and other school fees. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan appropriates an average of P 3.5 million annually to ensure sustenance and continuance of the program. The Governor, in tandem with former Congressman Gilberto Duavit of the First District of Rizal was able to establish the Rizal Science National High School. The Provincial Government also provides technical and financial supports to public schools by means of:

• Hiring of number teaching personnel displaced in different public schools in the province

• Providing funds for school supplies such as books, armchairs, among others

To augment classroom shortage in the province, it has embarked on a multi- school building project by acquiring a P300 million loan from Landbank.. Aside from this, budget from the Special Education Fund (SEF) are likewise used to finance the purchase and construction of other allied educational projects from pre-school to tertiary level. Currently the province has more that 200 elementary schools, 65 national high schools (including annexes), and nine campuses of the University of Rizal System (URS) in the different city/municipalities of the province. Under the tech/voc area, the province is currently building its third Tesda Center in Taytay to accommodate the expected surge of enrollees under Tesda’s Ladderized Education Program.

In order to effectively address and neutralize the adverse effects of the closure of the San Mateo landfill, the provincial government has created the Provincial Environment Management Committee (PEMCO) to find solutions on how to improve the waste management system within the province of Rizal. The PEMCO also gave rise to creation of the Ynares Eco- System (YES) Program, which aims to promote all clean and green activities in 14 LGUs of the province. The program aims to lessen the proliferation of solid waste in the urban areas. Recently, as support to the environmental protection, the Provincial Government led the tree planting activity at Baras, Rizal where thousands of forest trees were planted.

As one of the most important programs of the province, health services promote and instill awareness to the public on the preventive aspects embodied on provincial health programs. This includes information, education campaign, expanded program on immunization, nutrition, family planning, population program, and other areas that promote, implement and control the source of sickness/morbidity. More than P120 million is spent annually to operate and maintain the six hospitals devolved to the province. These hospitals provide free consultation; treatment and medicines to indigents, at the same time promote clean and healthy lifestyle for the constituents. Likewise, in order to safeguard the constituents of the province against the ill-effects of drug abuse, the Rizal Anti-Drug Abuse Office (RADAO) was created by the Provincial Government. Since the problem caused by drug abuse negatively affects all sectors of the society, this Office plays a significant role in forming and in dealing with such problems. The Provincial Health Office through the assistance of other concerned public and private agencies and associations also conducts weekly medical/dental missions and other outreach programs to improve the health condition and physical well-being of the people.

Programs/project provided by the Provincial Health Department in coordination and support of private and other government agencies are:

· Water Quality Surveillance/Monitoring

· Campaign Waste Disposal

· Implementation of Ynares Eco-System (YES)

· Food Sanitation

· Support to National Government Program on Vitamin A and Iodine Supplement for Children

· Control of Acute Respiratory Infection (CARI) Program

· Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Hospital Buildings, Equipments and Facilities

· Opening of EENT Clinic

· Other Health Program

Housing and Settlement

The Ynares Village, a 25- hectare area in Pinugay is at the center of all housing programs of the Provincial Government of Rizal, where its components include the following:

– Government Employees Housing Project

– Habitat for Humanity Socialized Housing Project

– Academe Foundation (Rotary Club 3800) Homes

– Jeepney Village

– Police Village

– Community Mortgage Program (CMP)

• And other Socialized Housing Project in Various Areas in Rizal Province under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

Enough funds are appropriated annually to ensure that necessary infrastructure designed to promote and attract investments are constructed, which will facilitate the exchange of goods and services and accelerate the province’s socio-economic development, protect its public and private properties, ensure public safety and improve sanitation. These infrastructures include the construction of roads and bridges, public buildings, flood control and drainage structures, water supply and sewage system, improvements and expansion of educational facilities, hospitals, health centers, clinics, improvement of public markets and slaughter houses, sports stadiums and allied facilities.

The province promotes and supports different sports programs and activities through the provision of financial assistance for sports’ paraphernalia and equipment, and cash incentives. Yearly, the province provides assistance to athletes, coaches and trainers in the annual Palarong Panlalawigan, as well as Southern Tagalog Calabarzon Athletic Association (STRAA) Meet, and other national competitions. To achieve a world-class sports athlete, the Provincial Government constructed the Ynares Center where different sports and recreational activities are held regularly.

Energization of remote barangays and other far-flung places is on a continuous basis under the general fund and through the assistance of the NAPOCOR and the Department of Energy (DOE). At present, more than 95% of the province is energized.

This twin-program of the provincial government is effectively carried-out through the cooperation and coordination of the offices of the provincial health, agriculture, social welfare and development, DILG and the DepEd. Under the Provincial Nutrition Committee, various nutrition programs and project like Gulayan sa Barangay, micro-nutrients supplementation, salt iodization, food fortification, and Operation Timbang are coordinated and implemented on a province-wide basis.

The provincial government in support of DOLE programs and projects, supervise, assist and participate in job fairs, local and private recruitment activities. Poor but deserving students/out of-school youths were employed through its Summer Job Program. Graduating students were also given Career Information Guidance, Work Orientation Program and Labor Education.

The Province initiates the formulation and completion of the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP’s) of component local government units in order to rationalized the utilization of land resources. This is in conformance with sustainable development of the Philippine Agenda 21. The limited land resources of the whole territorial jurisdictions of Rizal Province are planned in order not to jeopardized resources requirements of future generations.

It has been the policy of the provincial government to give maximum incentives to investors of the province. It has encouraged and supported trade missions abroad as well as the establishment of a sister-province or sister-city relationships outside the country, like the one established last year with Taipei County in Taiwan. The provincial government also provided spacious office for the Rizal Chamber of Commerce and Industry to enhance its business-matching strategy with local and foreign businessmen.

The province recently implemented the Information System Strategic Plan (ISSP) to facilitate data sharing and information exchange between government agencies and other local government units through the development of data standards for local government. The ISSP is the overall reference and guide on activities of the province relative to ICT such as but not limited to automation and acquisition of equipment. It will enhance the province’ revenue collection, fiscal management, information exchange and system management.

There is no better testimonial of the obsession of the provincial leadership to jumpstart tourism development in the province with the creation of the Rizal Tourism, Culture and Arts Council (RTCAC), and the proposed installation of tourism facilities and amenities all around the province in coordination with the private sector. The RTCAC will undertake continuous communication and coordination with tourism establishment owners and other sectors relative to tourism, culture and arts development.

It was under Governor Ynares’ administration that the province was able to determine its Foundation Day under a Presidential Proclamation issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos. The province now celebrates annually its "Araw ng Lalawigan ng Rizal" with colorful rites and festivities. Rizalenos are rich in cultural, traditional and creative behaviors, and takes pride of having produced three national artists in Carlos "Botong" Francisco, recipient of the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1976; Vicente "Ka Enteng" S. Manansala, UP alumnus and foreign-trained artist, a recipient of Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1963 (Both National Artist for the Arts; and Maestro Lucio D. San Pedro, a prolific composer and multi-talented musician (National Artist for Music).

The current administration also commissioned the preparation and writing of a coffee-table book "Rizal: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow". Truly, Governor Ynares has great appreciation for culture and arts, and has sponsored regularly the holding of cultural competitions and art exhibits and provides incentives for talents who emerge on top of such competitions and exhibits.

Throughout his tenure, Governor Ynares pursued meticulously a planned development approach that took care not only of the infrastructure needs but also of the social requirements of his people, starting with education, which is the centerpiece of his administration, health and environment, including sports, and the promotion of culture and the arts. But having spent more than half of his life in politics and in serving the people, the amiable and hardworking Governor decided to relinquish his position to his only son, the former DENR Assistant Secretary and General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Dr. Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III.

Starting July 1, the province will be governed by the young and dynamic Dr. Ynares, who vowed to pursue his father’s pro-people and good programs. This De La Salle graduate plans to make distinctive innovations, and has promised to do his very best to duplicate the achievements of his father.

1. Antipolo Cathedral - the home of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Historians say that this miraculous image has sailed back and forth between Manila and Acapulco eight times, and on several occasions was credited with saving her galleon from destruction by pirates and Dutch and British blockades. The galleon’s safe arrivals were attributed to the miraculous power of the statuette. When the image was brought in the town of Antipolo on November 26, 1626 by Archbishop Michael O’Doherty, it was then, that the pilgrimage to the virgin started.

2. Petroglyphs - located between Angono and Binangonan boundary discovered by National Artist and acclaimed muralist Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco in 1965, the relic has 127 drawings of animal and human figures engraved in the rock including fragments of earthen ware, obsidian flakes and shells. This cultural heritage site was certified by National Museum as dating back to circa 3000 B.C. and it is the most ancient Filipino relic. The Petroglyphs has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS. It has been declared as a National cultural Treasure by virtue of Presidential Decree 260. In 1996, it received its highest recognition when it was nominated as one of the ‘100 Most Endangered Sites of the World’ under the World Monument Watch List.

3. Daranak and Batlag Falla - considered as haven of local and wild plants complemented with the beautiful cascading waterfalls, streams and ditches, and interesting subject for the visual artists, photo enthusiasts, and also best locations for shooting of local and foreign movies, television ads and programs. Its location is just an hour and a half drive from Manila.

4. Morong Church - built by Chinese artisans in 1615 with stone and mortars. Its work was distinct with Chinese-Baroque Architecture of the Church with two Chinese lion sculptures at the entrance serves as the storey façade and the octagonal bell tower of the church. The pock marks on the walls and surroundings of the church was caused by bullet holes indicating the fights between the Katipuneros and the Guardia Civils during the revolt of the Filipinos against the Spaniards in the latter part of 19th century.

5. Montalban Mountains and Wawa Dam – the town of Rodriguez (Montalban) famous for a two white rock mountains of boulders called Mountain of White Rocks with a very steep gorge in between is a very interesting natural monument that amazingly looks like a mountain split up into two parts. Known for a mystical strong man Bernardo Carpio, which according to the legend, this man has an extra ordinary strength that splits these two mountains during his time. Resting underneath the Montalban Gorge, this man-made dike turned into a tourist attraction due of its remarkable design and structure adorned with numbers of white rocks and boulders scattered along the river banks. Built by the Americans in 1909, the Wawa Dam originally provided water supply in Manila until its eventual closure in 1962 due to unexplained deterioration of water supply. On September 10, 1985 the Marikina watershed area where the Montalban Gorge and the Wawa Dam has been declared as a government reservation area together with the National Committee on Geological Sciences.

6. The Town of Angono – known as the Art Capital of the Philippines a hub of numerous artists, galleries and museums, folk restaurants, parks and landmarks Angono got its name as the nation’s repository of its artistic legacy. Angono’s renowned muralist, the late Carlos "Botong" Francisco, stumbled in 1965 into what could possibly be where his aesthetic roots, and that of the other dozen or so artists in town, originated. Angono is also known for the Higantes Festival, a pageantry of giant paper figures and the Parejadoras, women wearing traditional costumes and wooden sneakers holding paddles festive with street dancing and parade.

TOP LGU TAXPAYER - for its active support and participation in the tax campaign program of the national government, and for being one of the top LGU taxpayers in the country, awarded by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), District Office No. 43 – Pasig City, on February 22, 2007

MOST OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTING OFFICE IN 2005 – for adopting decentralized accounting system, and for having met the criteria of accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and compliance to the accounting rules and regulations, awarded by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP), Inc., on November 22, 2006

KABALIKAT SA PABAHAY AWARD – as the first provincial government to be accredited as CMP Originator, and for its invaluable support and contribution to the housing program of the government, given by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), on December 10, 2003

ONE OF THE TOP 8 PROVINCES NATIONWIDE – with highest approval rating for its Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), and was also highly recognized for the approval of its Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP), awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the HUDCC, on October 30, 2003

KONRAD ADENAUER MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE – one of the best managed LGUs worthy of emulation by other LGUs, awarded by the DILG Region IV-A, and the Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF), on October 17, 2003

GOOD ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE – one of the leading provinces nationwide which have created tremendous positive impact for good economic and administrative governance, cited by the National Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB) in a study conducted in June 2003

HIGHEST NET INCOME – among the 81 provinces nationwide as per 2003, 2004, 2005 Report on Financial Statements by the Commission on Audit (COA), and published in leading newspapers

NO. 1 IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – top achiever in terms of human development index for life expectancy, functional literacy and educational attainment, poverty alleviation, environmental regeneration, women empowerment, job creation, and real income per capita, awarded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Human Development Network (HDN), on July 13, 2002

OUTSTANDING PROVINCE IN BUDGET ADMINISTRATION – in the Search for Outstanding LGU in Budget Administration, worthy of emulation by other provincial governments in the country, awarded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Philippine League of Local Budget Officers (PHILLBO), Inc., on April 15, 2002

REGIONAL FINALIST – in the Annual Gawad Pangulo Sa Kapaligiran for its meritorious participation in the implementation of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran, particularly in the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest LGUs, awarded by the DILG, on November 20, 2001.