ALABEL, Sarangani (November 28, 2011) – Vice President Jejomar Binay unveiled on Friday (November 25) the marker naming the main Provincial Capitol building into Congressman James L. Chiongbian (JLC) Capitol Building in honor of the province’s founder.
The unveiling was made in time for the 9th MunaTo Festival and 19th Foundation Anniversary.
Provincial Ordinance No. 2011-7-049 naming the JLC Capitol Building was jointly sponsored by Board Members Eugene Alzate, Cornelio Martinez, Elmer de Peralta, Alexander Bryan Reganit, Hermie Galzote, Eleanor Saguiguit, Virgilio Clark Tobias, Limuel Gacula, Benedicto Ruiz II, Abdulracman Pangolima, George Perrett, Arman Guili and Victor James Yap Jr.
The ordinance noted the world-class coastal highway and the Provincial Capitol Building as among infrastructure developments Chiongbian initiated under his leadership.
Rep. James L. Chiongbian, who passed away in 2004, was first elected during the special election for the lone district of South Cotabato in 1967. He was reelected in 1969 and served until Congress was abolished by the declaration of Martial Law in 1972.
From May 1987 to June 1992, Chiongbian represented the 3rd District of South Cotabato in Congress as Assistant Majority Floor Leader.
When Sarangani Province was created in 1992, Chiongbian represented the Lone District of Sarangani as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and member of 10 committees up to 1998. He was succeeded by eldest son Erwin as Sarangani congressman in 2001.
Incumbent Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao recognized the “pioneering effort” of Chiongbian as “we look back in the legacy of the man who laid the foundation of Sarangani province.”
Pacquiao reminded constituents “to carry on the legacy of our founding leaders.”
As Sarangani turned 19 this year, Pacquiao anticipated “greater things are yet to happen, greater opportunities are coming our way.”
“With the strong foundation of history, with the blessings of our unity and harmony, and with the presence of our God, let us be excited to move forward,” Pacquiao added.
Sarangani was created in 1992 as a new province from the then 3rd District of South Cotabato by the landmark legislation of the late Rep. Chiongbian, Republic Act No. 7228, which spurred unprecedented development in the area.
On March 16, 1992, through RA 7228, the authority to create Sarangani was signed into law.
Thru majority of votes cast in a plebiscite on May 19, 1992, Sarangani was established as an independent province. Henceforth, it observed May 19 as the Charter Anniversary Day to commemorate its proclamation.
In 2002, a Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution reset Sarangani’s Provincial Foundation Anniversary from May 19 to November 28.
“Upon its creation, its corporate existence only commences upon the election and qualification of its chief executive and a majority of the members of the Sanggunian,” according to the resolution.
“The process of creating the Province of Sarangani, as in a birth cycle was consummated, when the first duly elected provincial officials were sworn into office by His Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos on November 28, 1992,” the resolution stated. “Symbolically, foundation or birth anniversaries must be based not on the day of its conception but on the day of its birth.”
Thus, the foundation anniversary was reset to November 28 “in order to create greater impact and significance and sounder legal basis to the celebration. However, May 19 shall be commemorated as Charter Anniversary.” (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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