VP Binay, senators fund Sarangani projects

By BON-BON QUIÑO

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 3, 2011) – Vice President Jejomar Binay and two senators have pledged to fund infrastructure and livelihood projects in Sarangani through the effort of Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

In an interview, Vice Governor Solon bared that Vice President Binay promised to give a senior citizens building each for Glan and Maitum.

“As of now we are still waiting for the budget to be downloaded and as we spoke last week the budget is ready but still in the process and were just waiting for it,” Solon said.

The vice governor, who is also the Task Force Sarangani director, thanked Sen. Vicente Sotto III for giving P2.2 million worth of livelihood assistance to Integrated Barangay Defense Force (IBDF) Project. IBDF is under Task Force Sarangani which oversees civilian security concerns across the province.

“Congressman (Manny) Pacquiao, Governor Migs (Dominguez), senators and other provincial officials are helping these projects and the barangay defense forces are the community volunteers (trained) to respond to natural and manmade calamities and we are just helping the community respond to calamities because they are the first line of defense,” Solon said.

According to Rodel Tuayon, IBDF project manager, the livelihood assistance is set to be released in the last quarter of the year to 30 chosen IBDF barangays in Sarangani. Motor boats will be given to the community near coastal areas while other communities shall benefit from animal dispersal projects.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also gave an additional P3 million for the construction of the municipal hall of Maasim which got burned last August 2010.

“He was the first who gave funding for the construction but still the incident of burning is still under investigation. The funds are already in the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and we’re just waiting for the final decision and investigation before the construction starts,” Solon said.

In addition, Sen. Estrada gave P800,000 for the construction of a Multi-Purpose Building (Food Processing Building) at barangay Tuyan, Malapatan.

Vice Governor Solon expressed his gratitude for the support of Binay, Sotto and Estrada to the people of Sarangani.

“Since 2008, Vice President Binay and Sen. Estrada are already helping the province and now Sen. Sotto is helping the IBDF. These three officials are the great supporters now of the province,” Vice Gov. Solon said. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/ Bon-Bon Quiño)