“Today, we begin to take flight into a new era of innovation and economic prosperity where nobody is left behind. We will continue the safe, responsive, and sustainable growth all those who came before me have been working on,” was Governor Vincenzo Renato “Luigi” Villafuerte’s message to all the newly-elected officials at the Inauguration and Mass Oath Taking Ceremonies that transpired on July 1, 2022 at the Capitol Convention Center.
Governor Villafuerte and Vice Governor Salvio Fortuno Jr. led the mass oath-taking for provincial and municipal officials. Meanwhile, three-term 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund “Luis” Villafuerte Jr. and Former CamSur Governor, now 5th District Representative Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte also took their oath of office.
Governor Villafuerte expressed his excitement in serving the people of Camarines Sur as he took his oath and assumed office. “The future of CamSur is in our hands. I am excited to begin our work in the Heart of Bicol, to further achieve ‘The CamSur Dream’ for our beloved home of continuously uplifting the lives of each and every one of you, regardless of social class or circumstances at birth. Together, we can rise into mountaintops and conquer summits for each other,” he said.
As highlight of the event, Governor Villafuerte shared his plans and vision for Camarines Sur, specifically for the sectors of agriculture, education, health, small-scale and medium businesses, infrastructure, tourism, and local economy.
Agriculture
“Your work may be on the farmlands or in the depths of our oceans, but you will not be left behind as we soar into success,” said Governor Villafuerte in his address for the farmers and fisherfolks of the province.
The Bicol Region, time and again, is frequented by strong typhoons, and the agriculture sector is most affected by it. Governor Luigi Villafuerte shared his plans of promoting agroforestry, introducing typhoon-resilient crops, and creating Agroindustrial Parks, which will increase the value of agricultural products. Research and development training and entrepreneurial training for the farmers will be prioritized.
To further improve fisheries and agriculture in the province, Governor Villafuerte mentioned that he will be investing in better technology and provide mechanizing farming equipment. Along with this, he will be launching the Rice Processing Centers in Pamplona and Bula, as well as the opening of the world-class Coconut Processing Plant in Pili to further the province’s exportable goods and bring livelihood for our local famers.
Education
“Our goal is to make free, quality education accessible so that everyone could spread their wings and have a greater chance to soar into a life they dream of,” said Governor Villafuerte as he reiterated that education is his priority in his administration.
Among the initiatives of Governor Villafuerte for education will be the establishment of more community colleges in different towns across the province to promote free quality tertiary education for all. In addition, the scholarship program of the province will be bolstered to support more deserving scholars and to give them opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations in life.
Health
Health shall remain a top priority of the Provincial Government under Governor Villafuerte. Specifically, he plans to further improve the provision of healthcare services and to make it accessible to all by continuing the Healthcare-On-The Go Program, bringing medical services closer to the people in remote areas who needed it the most.
“I fully intend on bolstering our healthcare system by further equipping our existing provincial and district hospitals with top-of-the line medical facilities and equipment,” he added.
The governor also expounded his plans to purchase a state of the art MRI Machine for the Provincial Hospital and to collaborate efforts with Cong. Lray and Cong. Migz Villafuerte for the establishment of more hospitals in the province, specifically for the Bicol Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Pamplona and Iriga City Medical Center in Iriga. He also expressed his aim to open the CamSur Dialysis Center at the Provincial Hospital during his term.
Small Business Owners
For small business owners, Governor Villafuerte assured that, under his leadership, he will be investing in Micro, Small, Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) through a provincially-funded micro-lending program, establishing local factories for the creation of local products, organizing online and face-to-face trade fairs. The governor expressed his firm belief that supporting MSMEs like cooperatives, agri-businesses, and sari-sari stores means supporting local products, creating more jobs, and driving innovation, all of which contribute to revitalizing the local economy.
Economy
To further attract investors in the province, Governor Villafuerte also announced building necessary infrastructure to facilitate movement of goods, thereby creating a business-friendly environment that will encourage companies and factories to set up in the province to bring local employment opportunities and foster economic growth. Moreover, the Provincial Government will push through piloting the WiFi-for-All Program in selected towns, which will bring connectivity within reach and facilitate e-commerce.
Also to break the barriers to traditional financial institution and digitalizing the province, the Provincial ID will be introduced. This will bring digital banking into the hands of people.
Infrastructure
In infrastructure alone, more access roads were built across the province through the efforts and initiatives of then Governors Lray and Migz Villafuerte. Governor Villafuerte is looking forward to continuing these infrastructure projects, among which is the CamSur West Coast Highway or the Pasacao-BalatanCoastal Road. Other infrastructures to be developed in his term include the Fully Integrated Pili Transport Terminal, which will make Pili a central transport of the province, and the Pasacao International Port.
“As we open roads, we open areas for progress and opportunity. We will expand the Pasacao Balatan highway to reach Ragay with the help of Congressman Hori [Horibata]. I will support the Quezon-Bicol Highway, which was initially planned during the tenure of Governor Lray, as it will soon start. And now I, as Governor, will ensure that this will be completed. In this way, we provide gateways of prosperity across CamSur,” the governor said.
Tourism
Governor Villafuerte stressed that his plans for the tourism sector include making sure that CamSur will be known globally as the Adventure Capital of the Philippines.
To achieve the CamSur Dream and reclaime the title of being the #1 Tourist Destination in the country, Governor Villafuerte crafted plans for the development of local tourism destinations and expanding tourism establishments. Moreover, he aims to encourage digital nomads and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Events to make CamSur their go-to destination in the country.
With the influx of tourists in the province come employment opportunities and income generating profit for local communities, especially the promotion of the indigenous and high-value crops established through the agro-tourism and locally-made products through community-based enterprises.
To conclude his speech, Governor Villafuerte thanked everyone for the trust and support he received. As he assumes office as Governor of the province, he asked for cooperation to bring CamSur into greater heights.
“As I said earlier, today marks a new era of CamSur and we have big plans ahead of us. But I cannot do this alone. The dream can only be achieved by working together. As the saying goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ Let this be our mission, a mission of ‘Camarines Sur for all’, a mission for the sake of our children and the next generation to come,” he said.
