Capitol doubles PCL fund to P10M

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government will double to P10 million its allocation for the province’s Philippine Councilors League after noting the league’s many initiatives that benefit Cebuanos.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced the increase during the PCL yearend assembly at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last Thursday.

In her speech, the governor lauded the PCL Cebu Chapter for its “unity” under the leadership of ex-officio Provincial Board Member and Tabogon municipal councilor Edward Francis Salimbangon as president and Toledo City Councilor Ricardo “Kuya Nick” Pepito as vice president.

In the last three months, the PCL had already conducted two medical missions in the mountain barangays of Garing in Consolacion and Magsico in San Fernando. It also launched a sportsfest during the PCL Week celebration last September.

Garcia said she was also “amazed” by the lots of prizes during the last Thursday’s activities.

“This resourcefulness deserves our assistance from the Office of the Governor in order to support the projects of the PCL,” she said.

Specifically, the Capitol will double the Legislative Assistance Fund of Salimbangon.

Garcia explained that the LAF of Salimbangon is similar to that of each of the district PB members – P5 million, but since Salimbangon’s constituency is the entire province, then she said it is just fair that he gets more.

“Use it well and use it for our beloved brothers and sisters in the province of Cebu,” Garcia told the PCL chapter president.

Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the PCL national chairman, was also impressed by the performance of the Cebu chapter.

“Ang Cebu ang pinakanumero uno, pagka-gwapo sa inyo gathering (Cebu is the number one; your gathering is nice),” Dayanghirang said.

The gathering was attended by 549 component city and municipal councilors regardless of political affiliations.

Presidential Assistant for Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino also graced the event when he briefed the councilors on the coming developments in the province which will be made possible through the initiatives to ease up the traffic through modernizations in transport system such as the Cebu Integrated Intermodal Transport System.

Dino also thanked the councilors and other local officials present for the support given to the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. (FREEMAN)