By Mike U. Crismundo
March 03, 2009 [ Manila Bulletin Online ]
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur — Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente T. Pimentel announced that the on-going R2.5 billion road projects will boost full economic activity and add income and generate employment in the province.
“Definitely, it is a big advantage to us, economically,” said Pimentel.
In his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Pimentel also announced the full support of President Arroyo for the implementation of various development projects in the province.
Pimentel called President Arroyo as “compassionate” who understands the feeling of the poor people.
“President Arroyo is the only President of the Republic who listens to our agonies by addressing our gargantuan problems that have been the hindrance for us to attain optimum economic development,” he said.
The governor said that the President’s R2.5 billion concrete road project from the municipality of Cortes up to the boundary of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental is a “big boost” in the economy of the province.
“We will be forever grateful to President Arroyo and we will always remember her as the greatest President this country ever had,” added Pimentel.
In that same SOPA, Pimentel also announced the state-of-the-art R60 million renovation of the Capitol building here.
He said that last year, about 18 Spring Development Projects (Level II) had been implemented in the amount of R2.454 million.
He also announced the expanded R11 million budget for the Local School Board (LSB), salaries for volunteer teachers and building of classrooms and the education department’s athletic meets.
He said that the “Alay ng Probinsiya Scholarship Program” has been continuously helping poor but deserving students.
Pimentel also congratulated Provincial Administrator Johnny Pimentel for being one of the awardees last year as most Outstanding Public Official of Caraga Region by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Some of the highlights in his SOPA were the provincial and national rehabilitation and maintenance of provincial, village, and farm-to-market roads, with a total length of 199.77 kilometers, 11 bridges constructed and repaired, and improvement and development projects located in 12 different sites in the province.
He also announced the completed provincial-funded construction projects, like the construction of additional private rooms of the district hospitals – six in Bislig City, six in Hinatuan and six in Lianga, with a project cost of RR7.165 million; construction of the legislative building at the provincial Capitol compound – RR2.6 million; concreting of the Tigao provincial road – RR2 million; installation of additional seven units of lighting facilities in San Agustin Norte – RR284, 237;
Concreting of the Lianga Comprehensive National High School – RR3 million; construction of the provincial guest house – RR4.585 million; construction of the perimeter fence of the provincial guest house – RR1 million; ongoing renovation of Lingig District Hospital – RR3 million; ongoing renovation of the Lianga District Hospital – RR1 million; and the ongoing construction of the provincial FM radio station – RR2.8 million.
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