In a decisive move to strengthen the Municipality’s flagship poverty-alleviation initiative, the Committee on Cooperative, Livelihood, Trade, and Industry conducted a committee hearing on June 8, 2026, at the SB Session Hall to discuss the status of collection and recovery of outstanding loan receivables and review the implementation of Ordinance No. 58, Series of 2018, otherwise known as the Itogon Municipal Livelihood Assistance Program (IMLAP).
The hearing revealed that despite over a decade of program implementation since 2013, a substantial portion of soft loans granted under IMLAP remains uncollected. The delinquency has been repeatedly flagged in successive annual audit reports of the Commission on Audit (COA), which recommended monitoring NGOs/POs, issuing demand letters, and pursuing legal action against delinquent borrowers. Discussions revealed that most of the 12 associations that received livelihood assistance are now inactive, with only one having fully settled its loan.
The committee agreed to suspend loan disbursements to associations with outstanding accounts and to consider creating a separate ordinance for individual beneficiaries. Recommendations include providing equipment and training support instead of cash loans and implementing stricter monitoring and screening processes.
Present during the hearing were Hon. Lucky B. Busacay, Committee Chairperson; Hon. Albert C. Carantes, Jr., Committee Vice Chairperson; Hon. Norberto I. Pacio, Committee Member; Hon. Clint D. Galutan, Hon. Alejandro L. Palangdan, and Hon. Albino A. Diego, SB Members. Also present were Atty. Farida D. Romillo-Mateo, Municipal Accountant; Ms. Grace O. Pocsol, MSWD Officer; Ms. Ester O. Alfredo, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office; Ms. Irene F. Fernando, Municipal Treasurer; Ms. Mary L. Bayangan, Ms. Cynthia A. Tauli, and Mr. John S. Ngina, Municipal Livelihood Section; Ms. Jacquiline G. Nabaysa-Gosingan, Legal Officer, Municipal Mayor’s Office; Ms. Imelda F. Nuguid, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator; Mr. Marlou K. Daliling, IMAFC Coordinator, Municipal Agriculture Office; Kag. Fely C. Ekwasen, BLGU Virac; as well as representatives from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The committee has expressed gratitude to the Project Monitoring Team for their active participation, noting that their field-level insights were instrumental in arriving at the recommendations.
