KIDAPAWAN CITY, May 25 (PNA) — More than PHP19 million worth of various infrastructure and electrification were turned over by provincial officials over the weekend in Banisilan, North Cotabato aimed at alleviating poverty in the town’s eight far flung villages, officials said today.
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said the 10 projects for the villages of Salama, Busaon, Pantar, Carugmanan, Poblacion, Miguel Macasarte, Paradise and Gastav were funded by the provincial government (PHP14-M) and from the office of North Cotabato (3rd District) Rep. Jose Tejada.
It included a covered court worth PHP2 million in Barangay Busaon; 450 meter-road concreting in Sitio Patinduguen, Barangay Pantar worth PHP5 million; lateral lines for electrification project worth PHP1.8 million and a birthing facility worth PHP1.5 million obtained from the Department of Health–Health Facilities Enhancement Program (DOH-HFEP) in Barangay Carugmanan; upgrading of Rural Health Unit in Poblacion worth PHP2 million also obtained from the DOH-HFEP; multi-purpose stage worth PHP500,000 in Barangay Miguel Macasarte and a covered court worth PHP2 million for Barangay Paradise.
On the other hand, those projects funded by the office of Tejada consisted of the PHP2 million 180-meter road concreting in Barangay Salama, another 180-meter road concreting in Barangay Paradise also worth PHP2 million and one classroom building in Gastav Elementary School, Barangay Gastav.
There was an overwhelming response from the barangay chairmen of beneficiary villages on the projects given to them during the interview of the Aksiyon Serbisyong Totoo (AST) radio program of the Provincial Government of Cotabato.
Chairman Tungko Salama of Barangay Salama said the newly concreted road will boost the economic conditions of farmers and small businessmen in the area because they can now conveniently transport their products to the market.
“The road was not in good condition and people find it hard to pass especially when bringing farm products. Thank you Cong. Ping Tejada and Gov. Lala for your concerted efforts in giving us this useful project,” said Salama.
For his part, Panantaon Mantitayan, Barangay Chairman of Busaon said he and his constituents were deeply grateful of the newly erected covered court which will become the venue of some of the village’s official activities.
“We can now use the covered court for our assemblies as well as sports activities and other occasions,” Mantitayan said excitedly.
Nelly Montoya, Barangay Chairman of Carugmanan said that the upgrading of Poblacion’s Rural Health Unit is a major development which will enhance health services.
“I can’t say anything more but to thank our dynamic governor for the project and for continuously looking after the welfare of her people,” said Montoya.
On the other hand, Barangay Chairman Roberto Asong of Miguel Macasarte and Barangay Chairman Billy S. Valeroso both said their villages were so fortunate to obtain these infrastructure projects — stage for covered court, covered court and road concreting.
Both said these will boost the morale of the villagers and will prove to the people that the administration of Gov. Taliño-Mendoza and the provincial government of Cotabato is doing its duties and responsibilities to the people.
Mendoza said it is her utmost desire to bring further development to all villages in the province and make true to the promises of development she pledged to the people.
Before the series of turnovers in Banisilan, the governor conducted on Friday early morning an ocular inspection of the ongoing construction of the Tinimbacan bridge which connects the villages of Tinimbacan, Banisilan and Macabenban, in nearby Carmen town. (PNA)