The Completion Of A New Legislative Bldg. Is A Dream Come True-maamo

Aug. 11,2009 The Completion Of A New Legislative Bldg. Is A Dream Come True-Maamo By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr. Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The completion of this new legislative building where we are standing now “is a realization of a dream come true”. This was the statement of Vice-Governor MiguelMaamo,11 in his speech during the blessing and inauguration ceremony on the eve of the 49th Founding Day anniversary of the province of Southern Leyte.The blessing was officiated by Rev. Celso Paller.Governor Damian Mercado cut the ceremonial ribbon with the presence of Congressman Roger Mercado, SP members and Gilberto Teodoro,Jr, the Defense Secretary. He had just arrived from Manila via 2 Army choppers that landed at the Maasin Pier at 3:30p.m. He was invited by the 2 Mercado brothers as the guest of honor and speaker of the Southern Leyte Beauty Pageant. It was participated in by 19 young ladies from 18 municipalities and one city. Maamo disclosed that the plan to have a new legislative building was at first just “a wistful thinking”, because we don’t have the necessary budget. So we did the construction phase by phase whenever we have the money, he said. With the support of the Governor Mercado and Congressman Mercado, he said, we were able to go on with the construction of the building until its completion. He expressed his profuse thanks to both of them for their financial support. The Congressman has given a total of P6M, the Governor P5M in behalf of the provincial government, while the office of the Vice-Governor has shelled out P5M. SP Albert Esclamado however clarified that P3, 234,000.00 was added to complete the project. That the total amount of the building’s construction has reached P19, 234,000.00 instead of P18M as earlier stated by Eng, Fernando Moralde of the Provincial Engineers Office who supervised its construction. The new building nestled in 800 square meters lot is located just a few meters away from the Provincial Capitol Building. It is very near to the Capitol gymnasium where part of it is occupied by the DILG office. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro,Jr, whose arrival coincided in time for the blessing and inauguration of the new legislative building in the afternoon, claimed in his short speech that the construction of the new building is a visible sign of development of the province and that the investment on public structure is part of its modernization. He also confirmed the incumbent Governor’s slogan that putting the slogan of unity, solidarity and teamwork (UST) into action, any tangible project can be accomplished. He further urged officials of the province to coordinate with the office of the Civil Defense, particularly that the month of July is declared as a National Disaster Consciousness Month. The Defense Secretary was accompanied here by PA Major General Arthur Tobaquero, Navy Commodore Boboy Balanon and Col. Facada. Recently the DefSec has donated P100M in behalf of the office of the Civil Defense for a river control project in Sogod town as a disaster mitigating measure. The affair was attended also by some provincial capitol employees,SP members,Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco,City Councilors led by Vice-Mayor Effie Abiera-Sabandal,some barangay officials, the press and some PNP and Army officers. On the other hand, winner of the Southern Leyte Beauty Pageant contest held in the evening at the Capitol Playground was Earlene K. Lancour of Macrohon.First runner-up was Safa Nesmarie U. Rodas of Maasin City. Second runner-up was Daine Marie G. Gloria of San Juan. One of the functions of Ms. Lancour is to promote the province’s tourist spots and its products. She will also make representations in any cultural or civil activities involving the province whenever it calls for.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)