Capitol disburses P16M for Argao infra projects

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government has shelled out at least P16 million to fund its various infrastructure projects in Argao, southern Cebu, the hometown of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

 The funds were downloaded directly to the municipal government.

 The bulk of the amount went to the construction of the new stalls of the town’s public market and the first Farmer Scientist Training Program (FSTP) building worth P5.5 million and P5 million, respectively.

 “The public market of the municipality of Argao got a facelift on its stalls. The public market now looks revitalized, clean and orderly,” the Provincial Information Office reported.

 Municipal Administrator Geymar Pamat said the municipal government also provided its counterpart for the market stalls and FSTP building.

 The municipal government rented out the stalls for P1,600 per month.

 The FSTP building, on the other hand, will be used as training site for the new batch of FSTP participants. It stands on a municipal-owned property in Barangay Candabong and has a floor area of 945 square meters.

  More than half of the area is utilized as a covered court while the rest houses offices, conference room, laboratory and a dormitory.

 Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena said the funds for the FSTP building was sourced from the province’s development fund.

 He said the facility will be used as venue for various FSTP activities for farmers in the second district and the newly created seventh district. Construction of the building is expected to finish by April.

 Another P5 million was also released to purchase a hectare of property where a new Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital, a district hospital owned by the provincial government, will be established.

 The construction of the new district hospital, however, has yet to start, said information officer Ethel Natera. The project amounting P70 million is being funded by the Department of Health through its Health Facility Enhancement Program.

 The municipality decided to relocate the existing hospital to provide convenience and easy access. — (FREEMAN)