COTABATO CITYI, (PNA) — Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has directed government line agencies to emulate the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) which gained national recognition for its prudent use of its 2012 generated savings.
DPWH-ARMM, under the leadership of Regional Secretary Emil Sadain, had a savings of P110.5 million in its 2012 budget, earning it the most coveted recognition from the Department of Budget and Management.
Hataman said the public works office, through the leadership of Sec. Sadain, must be emulated by other ARMM regional offices to show reforms are really happening in the region, in letter and spirit.
“Secretary Sadain has enforced prudent fiscal management that allowed the department to generate savings used to fund the procurement of equipment and additional projects,” Hataman said in a statement released by the ARMM bureau of public information.
“This is part of the reforms we want to establish in ARMM,” he added, adding that he was convinced other offices can even surpass the DPWH-ARMM feat.
In a letter to DPWH-ARMM, the DBM cited it for “a job well done.”
“We commend your prudent approach in the utilization of funds for the purpose of improving ARMM’s services. We assure you of our continued support in your efforts to implement cost-efficient programs and projects that led to increased DPWH-ARMM productivity,” a letter from Tina Rose Marie Canda, director of DBM’s Budget and Management Bureau, said.
Canda said the savings could be use for the procurement of heavy equipment needed for the maintenance of ARMM road network.
The ARMM executive secretary, Atty. Laisa Alamia, also lauded Sadain and his office, telling them “keep up the good work.”
Since Sadain assumed office, the DPWH-ARMM had been cleansed with corrupt personnel and outsiders transacting with the office with shadow deals.
Hataman said if the DPWH-ARMM can do it, other government agencies in the region can pretty well do it.