Governor Emilio Macias II wants to extend the working hours at the Capitol, to accomplish his administration's 12-point agenda within his three years and provide the people more and better opportunities.

Macias said there are only 36 months in three years, and with 40 working hours a week of employees there will be only 6,248 hours or working time.

He added that the employees working time can even be affected by the seasonal "habagat" in the area of road construction and other infrastructure.

"I suggest we extend our service time," Macias said in his inaugural speech over the weekend during which he directed the provincial administrator to draw up a two working service shifts for the capitol and key offices.

Daisy Vamenta, human resource officer of the capitol, said department heads are now studying a two-shift working schedule in the capitol. That is 7 a.m to 4 p.m. for the first shift and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the second shift.

Macias' 12-point agenda is on food security, an improved health program, more livelihood and employment opportunities, a relevant education, a safe and sustainable environment, peace and order, sound budget management, innovations through research and development, infrastructure, better access to information through a dynamic information dissemination, spiritual development through ecumenical dialogues and a responsive program on social concerns and welfare.

Vamenta said there will be no need to hire additional personnel.

The governor also directed the Tourism Governing Board to immediately prepare and implement a tourism master plan for the province, and the provincial engineer to prepare the blue-print of establishing a one-hectare Sidlakang Negros Village, Show-room and Trade Center at the Provincial Nursery grounds to house all festivals of the province; and to study and implement the family-based road maintenance program for provincial all-weather roads.

Macias also directed the Provincial Health Officer to negotiate with the mayors of towns without a district hospital, in establishing a community primary hospital in the poblacion of their respective municipalities, and the office of the Environment and Natural Resources Development to prepare and effect the "Adopt-a-Family/Farmer Program" for reforestation to address environmental and social concerns.*RA

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