By Alma L. Tingcang
IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY - Zamboanga Sibugay will be a priority in the distribution of
PhilHealth cards. This was the assurance made by no less than President Benigno
C. Aquino III to Governor Wilter Y. Palma when he took his oath last June 13 in
Malacanang.
Governor Palma said during
his inauguration that he would focus on the health problems of Sibugaynons and
upgrade the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Hospital (ZSPH) with a P12-million
allocation from the Department of Health (DOH) for which he expressed his
gratitude to President Aquino, Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona and DOH-9
Regional Director Teogenes Baluma.
Moreover, with P30 million
available funds of the province, the governor said a three-storey building
would be constructed to boost hospital services and cater to the health needs
of the Sibugaynons.
Also included in his priority
will be farm-to-market roads. Although the province has very limited funds for
any infrastructure projects, concerned businessmen in Zamboanga Sibugay
expressed their support by offering to supply fuel on credit.
“Sa pagka karon, wala
kitay kwarta nga magamit alang sa mga proyekto apan aduna kita equipment ug
manpower nga magamit. Busa nag-offer ang mga negosyante nga mopautang sila ug
krudo aron aduna kitay itrabaho sa atong mga proyekto,” the governor
opined. (As of now, we have no money to
finance our projects but we have equipment and manpower. Some businessmen
offered to supply us with fuel on credit so we could finish our projects.)
Upon assumption to office,
Palma cited as his priority the Lutiman-Guicam Road rehabilitation and
Guintolan-Payao road so “the farmers could have easy access for marketing their
products.”
“My loyalty to my party
ends where my loyalty to my people begins,” Governor Palma said, adding that he
would not consider political affiliation in prioritizing projects for his
constituents.
Palma, whose victory was
attributed as divine intervention, outlined the three aspects of his
administration which is Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance.
“I pray that the Holy
Spirit will give me wisdom to govern my people,” he concluded. (PIA9)