TUGUEGARAO CITY, DECEMBER 9, 2020- The DILG Region 2 thru the Regional Project Development and Management Unit (RPDMU) conducted the Search for R2 ASSETS (Adopting Safe, Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Systems in the New Normal) Virtual Ceremonial Awarding via Zoom and was live streamed thru the DILG Rehiyon Dos Facebook page.

R2 ASSETS highlights the laudable efforts of local government units in the timely implementation of FY 2019 and 2020 Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) - Assistance to Municipalities (AM) program in the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic while exercising full compliance to the Health Safety Standard Protocols in Project Construction (HSSPC).

The program was attended by no other than Undersecretary for Local Government, USec. Marivel C. Sacendoncillo, CESO III, who served as the keynote speaker. In her speech, Usec. Sacendoncillo congratulated DILG Region 2 for having been able to launch another innovative search such as the R2 ASSETS. She said, "It is indeed, another towering glory for DILG Region 2 that cements your status as a cradle of innovative ideas and an "alcazar" made of highest competence and excellence", she said.

A total of five (5) provincial nominees have competed for this search which includes LGU Abulug, Cagayan, LGU Diffun, Quirino, LGU Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, LGU Itbayat, Batanes and LGU Ramon, Isabela. All the local chief executives (LCEs) of the said LGUs have attended virtually along with other LCEs who were qualified for the Top 10 SubayBAYAN Compliant Special Award.

In conclusion, LGU Ramon, Isabela prevailed triumphant in bagging the Grand Winner title for the R2 ASSETS garnering the highest score in three (3) main criteria, namely compliance to the LGSF-AM guidelines, HSSPC and SubayBAYAN. In his message, Ramon Mayor Jesus D. Laddaran expressed his gratitude to DILG Region 2 for recognizing the notable accomplishments and strategies of their LGU in building waves of infrastructure development despite the threats of COVID-19 pandemic, and for providing technical support and assistance to the LGU to effectively and efficiently implement projects. Moreover, Mayor Laddaran hoped to inspire other LGUs to remain committed in providing better services for the people.

Meanwhile, LGU Calayan, Cagayan took the 1st place in the Most SubayBAYAN-Compliant LGU with an excellent rating of 96.52% per data encoded in the milestone areas of each project from FY 2012-2020. Calayan Mayor Joseph M. Llopis expressed his appreciation upon winning the special award. All provincial nominees, Top 3 SubayBAYAN compliant LGUs, and the R2 ASSETS Grand Winner received a cash/project award to be used for the improvement and development of their respective projects as well as for capacity development of the LGU's technical team to maintain the outstanding implementation of LGSF-AM sub-projects.

This pandemic may have brought the worst impact for this year that affected all sectors of society and cost a ton of burden to the branches and avenues of our government institutions. However, all LGUs in Cagayan Valley Region guided by DILG Region 2 proved to remain solidly built amidst the challenges of COVID-19, a reflection of the unequal resiliency of our "pamahalaang lokal".

DILG Region 2 with all its innovations in project implementation such as this year's R2 ASSETS is indeed, an embodiment of Usec. Sacendoncillo's words, - an alcazar made of highest competence and excellence. (SOURCE: DMO II DONNE ANGELO C. OŇATE)