Road, water woes, among concerns raised in Capitol caravan

CEBU, Philippines - Issues on road, water system, lights and healthcare were among those raised by Bantayan town and barangay officials in yesterday's consultative assembly, which was part of the Capitol's "caravan of services."

Kabac Barangay Captain Gregorio Santillan said their provincial road, which connects their barangay to the town, has lots of potholes. He also said they have a problem with the barangay's water system.

"Lisod kaayo ang kondisyon sa among dalan. Tabangi intawon mi aron wa nay grabeng libaong. Di maayo kun anapog ra kay kun tig-uwan makabot gihapon," he pleaded.

The town has five poultry farms which is why big trucks are regularly accessing the road, which is the main thoroughfare.

Davide has directed the provincial engineer to look into the road condition.

As to the water system, Bantayan Mayor Art Despi said they have already allotted a budget for it under their supplemental budget. 

Bantayan town Councilor Leopoldo Umbao, on the other hand, asked the governor for 320 solar-powered lampposts intended for the electrification of the Bantayan to Sta. Fe and Bantayan to Madridejos provincial roads.

"It is expected to illuminate the 12.5 km stretch of the said provincial roads. It is deemed to deter criminality and accidents along the road," read the resolution passed by the town council.

Residents also flocked to the municipal gymnasium in Bantayan town to avail of medical and veterinary services, which was part of the caravan that concluded yesterday.

The province, in partnership with Bantayan town and Feed the Children Philippines, Inc. launched through an agreement signing a supplemental feeding program

Meanwhile, Gweyn Garcia, 28, a resident of Bantayan town, expressed her gratitude for the blessing she received from the Capitol.

She was among the recipients of the wheelchairs donated by the provincial government and the Latter-Day Saints’ foundation, which gave 17 wheelchairs in Bantayan, 13 in Sta. Fe, and 15 in Madridejos.

"Mapasalamaton ko because we have a loving-hearted governor. Mapulihan na gyud ang akong guba na wheelchair. Gisi na gani ang lingkuranan ug wa nay apakan sa tiil," said Garcia, whom friends tease as the "gov ng Bantayan".

A single mother to a three-year-old son, she works as a bookkeeper at a local church, earning P1,500 a month.

"Dako kaayo ni nga tabang nako aron di ko mahimong pabigat. Makatarbaho ko nga di magsalig," she said.

She also asked Davide to extend financial assistance to persons with disabilities in the municipality.

During the caravan, Davide also promised to give financial assistance to all senior citizens all over the province starting December next year.

Other activities during the caravan were the La Niña awareness talk at the Bantayan Elementary School, oath-taking and awarding of deputation documents to Bantayan's fish wardens, ceremonial turnover of 10 sacks of rice to the town through the province's "bugasan ng kababayen-an" program.

Capitol has likewise turned over financial assistance close to P7 million to Bantayan town, which has been devastated by super typhoon Yolanda three years ago.

Around P5.8 million of the amount will be allotted for the construction of 33 semi-permanent, duplex-type houses for 65 families in the town.

The remaining P1 million will be spent for the establishment of pipeline and electrical connections in Unity Village, a relocation site for typhoon survivors in Barangay Sillon.

Also, the Capitol distributed P2. 637 million worth of indemnity checks to 523 farmers in 19 barangays in Bantayan town affected by last year's El Niño phenomenon.

The province likewise gave P898,455 for the town's El Niño rehabilitation project, which will benefit 673 fishermen who are into seaweed farming.

Davide said the province will take over the construction of an unfinished hospital building in Bantayan town, which was damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, on the other hand, said the Capitol's caravan of services is what they have promised to serve the public.

She assured that the province will look into the upgrading of provincial and district hospitals, including that in Bantayan.

Despi said the caravan was the first consultative assembly in the town.  (FREEMAN)