Gwen showers Camotes with gifts

CEBU, Philippines - Even if the town mayors have turned their backs, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia continued to distribute assistance to the municipalities in the Camotes Group of Islands.

The mayors used to be allies of Garcia and One Cebu party but shifted alliance to the Liberal Party for the 2013 elections.

Just before the long weekend, Garcia visited the islands together with One Cebu’s gubernatorial candidate, third district Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, and his runningmate, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV.

They were welcomed by some town and barangay officials and the residents of the places they visited.

Gov. Garcia turned over a total of P1.3 million to 12 barangays in Poro and each also received a high-powered grass cutter. Barangays Cagcagan, Daan Paz, Libertad and Teguis also received brand new multicabs.

Cagcagan barangay captain Samuel Hilongos said they are very proud that Gov. Garcia once again visited their place. He said they welcomed Garcia and her party because there was no reason not to and she has a good relationship with them.

“Mubarog gyud ko sa bahin ni Gov. kay sa iyang natabang namu, unsa man ang amo katarungan nga amo siya talikdan, (I will really stand up for Gov. With everything that she has done for us, what reason do we have to turn our backs on her?)” Hilongos said.

In Tudela town, a multicab, mini ambulance and financial assistance were turned over to the municipal government.

“We are very, very thankful that it comes as a surprise na muhatag si Gov. og multicab kay guba na gyud ang multicab sa munisipyo,” said Vice Mayor Clint Maratas who welcomed the party who are his allies.

During the same visit, Garcia also inspected the ongoing construction of the San Francisco airport. The airport will have a 1.2 kilometer runway, a hangar and a passenger terminal. The airport is located at the Northern Poblacion and is targeted to be completed by the first half of 2013.

Garcia also visited four birthing centers in San Francisco located at barangays Consuelo, Santiago, Esperanza and Sonog to turn over equipments amounting to P250,000 per set, which included a stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, suction machine and medical scissors and clippers.

Aside from medical equipments, a total of P1 million was also distributed to nine barangays for their infrastructure projects, such as the repair or improvement of their day care centers and purchase of electrical materials for their street lighting projects.

Barangay Unidos and San Isidro received their multicabs while Barangay Esperanza and Santiago received the keys for their mini ambulance. The fifteen barangays of San Francisco also received a high-powered grass cutter each.

The tourist bus was also formally turned over to the Association of Barangay Captains- San Francisco chapter, of which their president, Allan Arquillano, took the responsibility for its care and maintenance.

Garcia also visited the Tulangdiot Islet of barangay Esperanza, San Francisco, for the feeding program of 36 pupils under the Early Child Care Development (ECCD) program and to deliver school supplies to 143 students and teaching aids to six teachers.

The sudden downpour did not disrupt the activity and Garcia continued to speak to the residents of Sitio Tulangdiot.

“Ang mensahe niini, naa man gyud ta’y special effects hangin ug uwan, unos nga dako, timailhan sad sa nag-uros uros nga gugma nako alang kaninyo, (The rain and gusty winds is just like my overflowing love for you.)” Gov. Garcia said.

Garcia promised to build four classrooms at Tulang Integrated School (TIS) after she saw how the teachers improvised on makeshift classrooms for their pupils.

Billy Maurillo, teacher in-charge of TIS, also received a laptop from the office of Rep. Pablo John Garcia to aid him with his reports to the school board and other related school activities.

“Dako na kaayo namo nga garbo nga gibisita gyud mi og gobernador ug mapasalamaton kaayo mi sa iyang pag-ari kay daghan kaayo siya dala nga blessings, nga dili lang nga mga gamay ra, ug maghinaot mi nga dili siya mausab ug mapadayon unta kini pinaagi ni Sir PJ, (It is an honor for us to be visited by the governor. We are thankful because with her visit, she brought along many blessings. We hope this will continue through Sir PJ.)” said Jesselyn Impas, Grade 7 adviser of TIS.

Also distributed to around 70 households were 5 kilos of rice and some canned goods. —/MIT (FREEMAN)