Page 19 - Outstanding Awards 2021

OUTSTANDING GOVERNORSHIP AWARD 2021

EDUCATION
Raised by educators and being one himself, Governor Chiz
dreams of providing more opportunities for the youth of Sorsogon
and its educators without leaving their hometown. To afford better
workspace to its employees, the DepEd-Sorsogon inaugurated its
new building in 2020. In return, the Governor requested they provide
better service to the teachers in the province. There is continuous
modernization of educational facilities, including a state-of-the-
art library and a new engineering campus in the Sorsogon State
University. The latter provides better and more comfortable study
COVID19 EFFORT spaces for engineering students whose graduates consistently
“Assume everyone is a carrier,” these are the words of rank in the top ten of the board examinations.
Governor Chiz at the beginning of the Enhanced Community
Quarantine (ECQ) implemented in the entire Luzon more than Governor Chiz hopes these developments in the education
a year ago. Through his leadership, Sorsogon contained and sector will encourage students to stay and study Sorsogon.
managed its COVID-19 cases. He made sure to humanize Moreover, educational assistance is continually provided to
the implementation of strict health protocols and guidelines to students by the Governor’s Office to help lessen their worries
lessen the pandemic’s burden and fear. about tuition fees and focus instead on their studies.

During the ECQ last year, the Governor mandated border
controls and tasked local chief executives to create quarantine
facilities in their respective areas. He ordered health officials
to shift their protocols to mitigation strategies to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable sectors.

Due to the spike of the locally stranded individual (LSI) in the
National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces during GOOD GOVERNANCE
the ECQ, the Provincial Government created a Sweeper Team Another recent endeavor of Governor Chiz is the successful
responsible for rescuing locally-stranded Sorsoganons. These certification of QMS ISO 9001:2015 of the Provincial Government of
individuals were lated and quarantined before sending them to Sorsogon; this is the first in the Bicol Region and the whole country.
their respective homes.
The journey to ISO 9001: 2015 certification for the province of
Because of the strict implementation of the minimum health Sorsogon started in June 2019 and was funded by then Senator
standard, curfew, mandatory quarantine, contact tracing, and Francis Chiz Escudero. The Certification of the Provincial
border control, the Sorsogon Provincial Government was able Government, along with 14 municipalities and one city and
to experience a “Zero Active Case” status last December 25, several NGAs, SMEs, and 24 barangays, is part of his dream
2020. Although there are still active cases, the situation remains to provide a better system and service for his constituents. This
manageable, especially for the health sector, and has made also provides opportunities for the offices and their employees
Sorsogon one of the few provinces in the country with one of the to improve their processes and efficiency.
lowest numbers of positive cases and highest recovery rates.
In addition, this is also a safeguard against corruption and
ensures that any guilty party will be accountable.

The Provincial Government of Sorsogon officially received its
award on June 30, 2021.

“Sorsogon is great, but Sorsogon can be greater.” In his own
words, Governor Chiz Escudero sees endless possibilities and
opportunities for his hometown. The province has progressed by
leaps and bounds since his administration began. And it is now truly
a land of prosperity and opportunity. With a great leader holding the
rein, Sorsogon will continue to move to a better and greater future.

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