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Friday, March 2, 2012

11th Araw ng Sibugay marks new beginnings, new hopes for Sibugaynons, PAMANA launch more projects in the province

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Mar. 2 – Sibugaynons welcomed the 11th Araw ng Sibugay with raised hopes for new beginnings as additional projects funded by the national government through its PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program were launched recently in this town.
 
Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Rommel Jalosjos led the festivities with Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr., Tungawan Mayor Randy Climaco, Payao Mayor Joeper Mendoza and Titay Mayor Maria Esperanza Corazon Rillera. Also present were PAMANA-Mindanao area manager Vic Borgonia and other local government officials.
 
The event also marked the turnover of additional P30-million PAMANA stimulus fund for the municipalities of Olutanga, Talusan, Titay and Tungawan. The funds will cover additional PAMANA projects such as road rehabilitation, water supply system and seaweed production.
 
“Ang Zamboanga Sibugay ay patuloy na makakatangap ng tulong sa PAMANA. Inaasahan naming magiging modelo ito for peace and development. Nagpapasalamat kami dahil ang maliit na pondo para sa mga maraming proyekto ay napupunan at nadadagdagan ng inyong local government. (Zamboanga Sibugay will continue to receive assistance from PAMANA. We expect it to be a model community for peace and development. We are thankful that the local government provides counterpart funds which further add to the limited funds for various projects.),” Montalbo said, lauding the strong commitment shown by the provincial and municipal government.
 
Apart from the P30 million provided by the national government, the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial government committed to give an additional P7 million to demonstrate its support for the projects and enhance the peace condition in the area.
 
Last year, Zamboanga Sibugay received financial aid for road rehabilitation projects in three of its municipalities, namely Tungawan, Payao and Mabuhay. It was the first financial intervention from the current national administration to the province.  
 
“Through PAMANA, we were able to implement road rehabilitation in 12 barangays. We aim to continue building a concrete pathway to peace and development,” Jalosjos said. “Peace is a legacy which both PAMANA and my administration wish to give to Zamboanga Sibugay.”
 
“Dili tayo pinabayaan ng national government, lahat nakaka-benefit sa mga proyekto ng PAMANA. The key to progress and development is peace and order (The national government didn’t forget us. We all benefit from the projects they deliver),” he emphasized.
 
PAMANA is the national government’s program and framework for peace and development for conflict-affected areas such as Zamboanga Sibugay. It aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through projects that boost peace and development. (OPAPP/PIA9/CAL)