SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – The German International Development Cooperation Fund vowed to implement major development programs in the province of Surigao del Norte.

This new development came out after the recent visit of the German officials who officially made a courtesy call to Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas.

It was learned that the officials from the German International Development Cooperation Fund will implement various programs such as protection and preservation of the environment.

The German team also told Matugas that they intend to implement conflict-sensitive resources and asset management program support – an integrated approach to poverty reduction and peace building in the province.

The project implementation of the program is expected to commence next year.

“Their planned program is a big boost to our current global warming and climate change mitigation program, peace and development and poverty reduction,” stressed Matugas.

As this developed, Matugas directed provincial development officer Art Cruje to closely coordinate with the officials of the German International Development Cooperation Fund for the projects’ smooth implementation.

In another development, in a commitment to help the government in providing a better public service, the Agencia Espanola De Cooperacion Internacional Para El Desarrollo (AECID) spearheaded a three-day public financial management workshop in Cagayan de Oro City least week.

In the workshop, top government officials were able to enhance their knowledge and skills on the public financial management for a more transparent and better service to the public.

In the workshop, the chief of offices also learned and strengthened the procedures on how to intensify the public financial management.

Participants in the recently concluded workshop were head and chief of offices from the Agusan del Norte provincial government led by Administrator Percianita G. Racho.

Also in Cagayan de Oro, City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano said a housing project for City Hall employees, teachers, and policemen will be implemented soon in the city.

Emano disclosed this following the recent visit of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Cagayan de Oro, who also planned to support the project.

Binay heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Emano, however, emphasized that the housing for the employees, teachers, and policemen is separate from the 300 housing units announced by the Vice President during his visit here.

Recently, officials of the HUDCC and its attached agencies held a two-day housing caravan in Cagayan de Oro in line with the intentions to build a stronger partnership with local government units (LGUs) in delivering quality homes to their constituents.