Tabuk City, Kalinga (10 July) -- The first official act of newly elected Governor Jocel Baac is to activate all mandated councils to make them available and responsive at all times.

Baac, in his meeting with provincial department and national agency heads, directed the reorganization of the Provincial Development Council, the Provincial Peace and Order Council and other mandated councils created under the Local Government Code.

Baac vowed that change must take place during his term as he announced his administration's philosophy: "Leadership in Governance - Let us build together a new era of leadership and Jumpstart Change at its Best" at work.

"However, the change we want to achieve will not be of my own making but has to happen because of our collaboration," he stressed adding that governance is not a monopoly of those occupying high positions but an effort where all stakeholders are involved.

During the July 5 Kapehan, Baac informed that he already met with the Local Finance Committee and was briefed on the financial status of the province. As a result, a shift in priorities and allocation of resources has to be done in order to maximize benefits of spending public funds.

He particularly took cognizant on the hiring of "unnecessary" casuals and contractual services which bloated the personnel services of the province. He required a personnel audit and to possibly divert jobs hiring to offices that direly need it like the Provincial Hospital.

To further cut short the long process of procurement and do away with red tape, he formed a Public Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) and devolved the procurement of medicines to the hospital itself and no longer by the Capitol.

He also sought for the activation of the anti-squatting task force to clear thoroughfares of encroachers; delineate government-own lands and maximize their utilization, further seeking the sale of these assets to lower local government units for them to operate.

The local chief executive also ordered the General Services Office to inventory properties and that all vehicles and equipments issued to outgoing officials be returned; and to re-issue vehicles and equipments to frontline service providers.