CEBU - Cebu third district Representative Pablo John Garcia recently turned over a total of P3 million to the Integrated Provincial Health Office and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
Garcia also signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of a Library Hub in Balamban town.
The amount given to the Capitol departments will be used for supplemental feeding, among other programs.
Provincial schools division superintendent Serena Uy said the Department of Education (DepEd) is “very fortunate to have the library project from the congressman’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (Pdaf).”
Garcia allocated at least P700,000 for the project.
Uy said she admires Garcia for making sure he fulfills his promises. The project is in line with the congressman’s educational program called “Primero ang Terciero.”
The DepEd central office will chip in P10 million to buy books for the library.
Uy cited that although students may now be more interested in the Internet than books, the problem with computers is that they may contain materials not suitable for children. She urged teachers and parents to motivate children to love books.
Lately, 34 low performing schools in English were from the third district. The Library Hub is aimed at helping solve the problem on English proficiency.
Garcia said he has always been into books. When he and his siblings were growing up, their parents would always buy them books rather than toys. “It is traveling without even leaving where you are.”
He plans to put his special collection of books to be stored in a separate room in the library.
Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, meanwhile, thanked the congressman for the project which, he believes, will help give students the best in terms of education.
On the other hand, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the amount her brother turned over to the Capitol will surely improve many lives.
“Pinaagi niining pagtabang daghang kinabuhi ang masalba, daghang kabataan ang mohimsog,” she said. (With his help a lot of lives will be saved, a lot of children will be healthier.) — Garry B. Lao/LPM (THE FREEMAN)