50 LGUs receive P376 million worth of projects, items

CEBU, Philippines —  A total of 50 local government units (LGU) in Cebu’s seven districts have benefitted a total of P376.7 million worth of infrastructure projects from the Cebu Provincial Government as its “Caravan of Services” for the first quarter this year culminated last Friday.

Sugbo News, the province’s Facebook page, reported that the First District got P41.6 million; Second District with P53.4 million; Third District had P45.2 million; Fourth District worth P65.8 million (main land LGUs worth P41.8 million and Bantayan Island LGUs worth P24M); the Fifth District had P100 million (mainland LGUs worth P47 million, Camotes mainland worth P42M million, and Pilar worth P11 million); while the Sixth District (including Mandaue City) got P21.2 million; and the Seventh District was allotted P49.4 million.

In those caravan’s 10 stops, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia personally turned over to the mayors, vice mayors, councilors, and association of barangay captains the checks to fund the various projects of their respective jurisdiction.

The provincial government has also given away over 20 vehicles to the different LGUs that emerged as winners of the Capitol’s Sugbusog program in the LGU, school, and police precincts.

Sugbusog or Sugbuanong Busog, Luwas ug Himsog aims to enhance food production in the countryside. It also aimed to encourage non-farmers to grow vegetables in their backyard.

In the town of Pilar, where the first quarter caravan of services culminated, the governor handed over to Mayor Manuel Santiago the keys to two vehicles to augment the municipality’s motor pool.

These vehicles include a Toyota Hilux that has been retrofitted as an emergency rescue vehicle or the disaster risk reduction office; and another one which is a Toyota Hi-Ace retrofitted as an ambulance.

“Ang kahiusahan, mao kana ang maghatag kanimog kaanyag ug kaambungan.  Kay kon ang imong tumong kahiusahan gikan sa imong kasing-kasing, wala nay lain mong lantawon pa kon dili ang kaayohan sa tanan, ang kaayohan sa katawhan. Wa nay pili-pili, wa nay bahig-bahig,” said Garcia.

She also led the inauguration of the newly concreted road section in Lanao-Biasong in Pilar. The road improvement project costs P31.5 million.

Meanwhile, the governor also visited the Community Access to Legal and Medical Assistance (CALMA) mission at the Capitol-run Camotes District Hospital.

The two-day medical and legal mission that started last March 23 was spearheaded by Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg.

Almost 30 patients were accommodated, most of them are women suffering from myoma, Bartholin’s cyst, hemorrhoids, and thyroid-related diseases like goiter.

Male patients who are suffering from hernias and other diseases that require surgical procedures were also treated here.

For legal concerns, lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu Chapter were also present to assist.

Garcia also convened the resort operators and tourism officers from the four local government units in the islands of Camotes to prepare for the upcoming Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Enchanting Camotes and to ensure the smooth conduct of the tourism caravan scheduled from April 15 to 16.

Around 350 guests have signed up for the package which includes local and foreign tourists including Senator Robin Padilla, Deputy Speaker and Fifth District Congressman Duke Frasco, and 186 members of Department of Tourism family to be led by DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, 12 regional directors and several officials will also join the Suroy-Suroy as part of their benchmarking activity.

“The future is bright for Camotes Tourism,” said the governor.

The Suroy-Suroy will kick off in the island town of Pilar then participants will then cross to San Francisco for an overnight stay. The next day, the tour will start in Tudela and will finish in the town of Poro.

During the meeting, the governor reminded each local government unit to prepare Cebuano food and to uniquely showcase the enriched Cebuano culture and masterpieces. – GAN (FREEMAN)