North Cotabato gov't leads turnover of 7 new covered courts

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - The provincial government turned over this week seven new covered courts to villagers in Tulunan town in North Cotabato for them to have an all weather venue for peace dialogues.

Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, chair of the provincial peace and order council, said peace and sustainable development in all parts of the province are easily achieved through interfaith, multi-sectoral dialogues.

“Our people can use these covered courts for such gatherings,” Mendoza on Saturday told The Star via mobile phone.   

Mendoza and senior provincial officials turned over one after another this week to local folks the covered courts in Barangays Tuburan, New Panay, Bagumbayan, Cajelo, New Culasi, New Bunawan and Damawatu in Tulunan town, home to mixed Muslim, Christian and lumad residents.

Each of the covered court costs P2 million, built with grants from the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) partylist bloc.

Mendoza said the construction of the covered courts was part of her administration’s “Serbisyong Totoo” program, which is focused on socio-economic objectives meant to foster peace and unity among North Cotabato residents with different faith and ethnic identities.

“These projects are positive results of an effective partnership between the provincial government and the TUCP,” Mendoza said.

The governor also launched this week a newly-constructed P600,000 worth multi-purpose building in Barangay Kimahuring and a P500,000 worth water system facility in Barangay Doles in President Roxas and Magpet towns, respectively.

The two hinterland towns are also beneficiaries of the provincial government’s covered court projects which Mendoza also inaugurated along with the newly-built multi-purpose building and water supply facility.