Palace brings Cabinet Assistance System to provinces

SITE VISIT. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (left) and Tanauan, Leyte Mayor Pelagio Tecson tour a livelihood project for occupants of Primetown Housing in Sacme village, Tanauan town. The Cabinet official visited the site on Friday (March 15, 2019) before presiding the first Cabinet Assistance Systems monthly meeting held outside Metro Manila. (Photo by Sarwell Meniano)

PALO, Leyte -- The central government is bringing its Cabinet Assistance System (CAS) meetings to provinces in a bid to widen discussions on issues affecting the countryside.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told reporters on Friday that this is the first time that undersecretaries and assistant secretaries participating in CAS meetings convened outside Metro Manila.

“Beginning this month, we will hold CAS meeting in provinces. The purpose of bringing this to the regions is to provide opportunities for national officials to touch base with people on the ground and see how government can help improve lives of people,” Nograles said in a press briefing here.

The CAS held its monthly meeting at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 8 (Eastern Visayas) here. Among the national issues tackled were the water shortage in Metro Manila, the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Act, the executive order empowering the agrarian reform beneficiaries, the status of legislative agenda, and climate change.

The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council also presented the security issues and concerns of the 

region, the 2018 socio-economic report, and post-“Yolanda” housing projects status.

“We have been taking note of different issues and concerns and address these within our level,” Nograles said.

Executive Order 9, issued on Dec. 1, 2016, mandates the Cabinet Secretary to convene the Cabinet Assistance System that handles priority areas or subjects that require special and immediate attention, as identified and recommended by department secretaries. (PNA /PNA)