ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Roads and Bridges – for several years, Sibuco’s  geographical location and terrain are factors in regarding it as an isolated haven. The formal contriobution of the Regional Development Council (RDC) amounting to Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 2.5 M) in rehabilitating the roads from  Bongiao, Zamboanga City to Poblacion, Sibuco, Sibuco connecting Lunday and Curuan was of great help since these roads are rough and bumpy.

        Although there are additional funds coming from the National Government, through the the Local Development Fund (LDC), the administration have succeeded in the promotion and support for the construction of different projects. 

However, these projects are still not enough to cope up with the lagging development of the municipality, that is why the Sangguniang Bayan and the Chief Executive passed and subsequently approve a special resolution for a possible financial assistance through loan package from the Philippine National Bank (PNB), in the amount of Ten Million Pesos (P 10 M) for the procurement of heavy equipment. 

2. Social hall and School Buildings – for the past year there was little action seen in the construction of education facilities aside from the Social Hall which was made possible through funds coming from the pork barrel of Sen. Heherson Alvarez.

3. Government Building – through its meager resources the locakl government succeeded in the construction of the market building extension. One of the major highlights was the construction and repair of Madraza School Buildings which serves as a conduit in reaching out the potentially neglected young ansd adults where they could learn and enjoy Islamic educational instructions free of charge.

4. Maintenance of Municipal Roads and Water Facilities – Allocation of funds for the maintenance of municipal roads and water supply facilities is always a priority as these projects paly considerable importance to commerce and trade and the constituents basic needs.

        One of the mechanism that shows the cost of efficiency in the construction of the project with the absence of heavy equipment’s is to increase manpower mobility, notably is the completion of Poblacion – Pasilnahut – Nale Barangay roads where the future national road will traverse down to Zamboanga City. 

    The construction of electrically operated deep wells at Barangay Poblacion and Jatian have proven as one of the most effective utilization of ground water in the absence of a free flowing water source (i.e. spring, rivers, creeks). For far flung barangays we were able to construct/improve spring development through people participation. 

    The municipal government have also succeeded in negotiating for the acquisition of 2 hectares parcel of land where a spring eye is located for future development. This was made possible through a voluntary deed of donation in favor of the LGU at Barannagy Puliran some 5 kms. from the urban center.  

With the roads constructed and rehabilitated catering to the municipal agricultural area and the Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), development in the agriculture sector is underway. With DA and its municipal counterpart as prime movers the municipality have succeeded in the construction of solar dryers. 

            The Municipality of Sibuco is located at the southernmost end of the province of Zamboanga del Norte, it is 163 nautical miles away from Dipolog City, which is the seat of the Provincial Government. 

            It has experienced peace and tranquility despite the threat posed by the remnants of dissident terrorist, the lawless elements of MILF/ASG lost command and the splinter group of crime syndicates. 

            The peace and order situation within AOR from January 1 to December 17, 1998, is under control by the joint efforts of the AFP/PNP forces and the general public not withstanding the important assistance and support extended by civic and religious organizations to this station in its successful rendition of police duties and responsibilities and service to the people. 

            The dissident terrorist operating within AOR remained at low profile as evidenced of the non-manifestation of their hostile action. They maintained their activities on building up their organization, recruiting new members and propaganda expansion. 

            The lawless elements who claim themselves as MILF still remained the most potent threat in the municipality of Sibuco. The present operational activities of these group is concerned on the collection of revolutionary taxes, kidnapping, piracyu, extortion, robbery hold-up and other illegal acrtivities to support their livelihood and needed funds for future hostile action.

            Through its vast marine resources, the Sangguniang Bayan concerned have encated the Municipal Fishery Ordinance to protect interest within its territorial waters and subsequently appropriated out of its LDF for the development and preservation of Bato-Tindog with its surrounding well preserved corral reef as one of the future diving destinations. 

            Recently, the residents of the northern barangays particularly the fisherment of Cawit-cawit were the receipients of the municipal project (Payao) which is made up of bamboo poles tied together to serve as fishing ground and haven of fish using the hook and the line method. 

            The Office of the Municipal Cooperative was created in compliance with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 or RA 7160. 

            It started its operation in 1996 purposely to provide services for the organization and development of cooperatives and provide assistance to promote viability and growth as an instrument of equity, social justice and economic development. 

            Its vision and mission is to enhance economic growth of the cooperative society where there is equity, social justice and sustainable  economic development towards the economic upliftment of the people  of the municipality in the name of peace and progress. 

            As of 1998 there were seventeen (17) registered cooperatives as a result of the MNLF – GRP Peace Agreement to provide livelihood assistance program to the MNLF members who were not integrated in the military service. 

            Although funds on the promised financial assistance to members of MNLF registered cooperative has yet to be released still the constituents are full of vigor to pursue on with the spirit of cooperativism. 

            One of the leading and well established cooperative operating is the Saint Joseph Mission Multi-Purpose Cooperative however, their operation was effected by the recent kidnapping of Fr. Luciano Benedetti who is one of the SJMC’s spiritual adviser. 

            While registration of cooperatives mushroomed recently, one should not limit the improvement of the variables of development in order to achieve the probability of success in the near future. Regressive values and institution should be changed with better ones in order to create an environment that is favorable and where growth of cooperatives would be greater. 

            The Sangguniang Bayan as expected have exercised well their duties and functions for the passage and enactment of different measures for the good of Sibuco. They serve as living instruments in bringing closer to the people the programs and special task of the administration. 

            The following are some of the major legislation passed and enacted by the Local Sanggunian: 

1. Enactment authorizing nthe Municipal Mayor to enter into a loan agreement with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) for the procurement of heavy equipment.
2. Enactment approving the Annual Budget for FY 1999.
3. Enactment prohibiting civilians from wearing military uniform in the municipality.
4. Enactment regulating the playing hours  of videoke  at Barangay Poblacion and the departure time of passenger pumpboat ferrying commuters from Sibuco to Labuan, Zamboanga City.
5. Enactment creating the fourteen (14) different committee of the local sanggunian and its corresponding members.
6. Enactment realigning from the 1998 lumpsum asppropriation for the payment of RATA increase of all heads of office effective October, 1999.
7. Enactment authorizing the Municipal Mayor to mortgage the same heavy equipment to PNB as prescribed in the loan package.

            Embodied in the MIDP of the municipality for the year 1996-2000 is always the major concern of the LGU towards economic and social upliftment of the local constituents that is once again outlined on this annual accomplishment report. 

1. Funding Resources

            The limited funding resources allocated for the municipality have affected greatly its development course. The lack of a good all  weather roads hampered production in  the agriculture sector thus paving the way for low valuation of real property and the late payment of real property taxes. 

            On the fishery sector although the resources are abundant yet the marginal fishermen cannot maximize utilization and harvest due to lagging fishing technology. 

            the majority of farmers are frustrated by the low price ceiling of rice and corn in the market which constitue the prime agricultural product of the municipality afar from high value commercial crops (HVCC). to counter such  a low income means of livelihood, an intensified inter-cropping practice of high return crops with the introduction of improved farm technology is required as the best alternative through the DA. On the fishery sector, intensified aquaculture is necessary. 

            The municipality is facing tremendous challenge in infrastructure investment. The need for the construction of more roads, bridges, irrigation system, water supply facilities, school buildings and day care centers  remain the top priority of the municpal government. 

            One of the major concern of the administration is to work out for the increase of salaries of its employees. conduct training for personnel development on fiscal and administrative functions in line with its modernization plan. 

            Under  sports development administration the LGU plans to upgrade the existing sports facilities in keeping the young and old healthy physically and mentally. With the alarming increase on drug  related incidents of criminality this is one way of keeping the constituents away from possible bad habits. Substantial amount is allocated for sports development for FY 1999 to meet these challenges. 

            Considered as pillars of peace and order  of the municipality is the PLEB and Peace and Order Council. By strengthening its composition it is expected to counter and be able to meet the necessary measures for the betterment of its constituents. One of the highlights in coordination with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is to implement the Barangay Human Rights Action Center (BHRAC) and to appoint/deputized Human Rights Action Man. 

1. Increase Income and Production

            As a matter of policy the following priority programs and projects are to be implemented:

a.       Promotion of Cooperative movement among farmers, fishermen and utilities;

b.      Installation of agri-based industries;

c.       Development of manpower for local and export market;

d.      Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) development programs;

e.       Undertaking of labor intensive infra-projects;

f.        Intensify the existing programs and projects of the municipality.

3. Implement Basic Infrastructure Programs: