The Catanduanes Tribune


Vol. XX No. 41	December 20, 2000	Virac, Catanduanes

Headlines

Major Developments

The Catanduanes Tribune

Rawis, Virac

Catanduanes,

Philippines - 5001

Tel. No.:

   (052) 811-1267

   or 811-2640

Fax No.:

   (052) 811-1267

E-mail:

Cattribune@cs.com



Publisher-Editor

Edwin A. Gianan

Advertising-

Circulation

Manager

Simeon G. Cueno

Web Master:

Richard T. Revelar

Calgary, Canada

Major Developments

Mayors want inutile projects out of AIP

Several municipal mayors have sought the removal of non-essential projects in the proposed Annual Investment Program of the provincial government for calendar year 2001.

During a meeting of the Catanduanes Development Council at the capitol dome last week, Baras Mayor Serafin Sarmiento questioned the inclusion of nearly one million pesos worth of school fencing and similar projects for his town in the proposed Provincial Infrastructure Projects for CY 2001.

He said that the projects would not contribute to the economic development of Baras, much more for the progress of Catanduanes. He urged CDC Chairman and Gov. Hector S. Sanchez to replace the listed projects with ones that would redound to the benefit of the people of the municipality.

In response, Gov. Sanchez said the project listing was based on a long list submitted by the province's 11 towns, which should now revise the listing to reflect their respective priorities.

A scrutiny of the list of provincial projects shows that about 25 projects can be considered as having little value in so far as boosting the local economy is concerned. The projects cost a total of P5,135,000.00, or about 10 percent of the 20% Economic Development Fund of P49,835,000.00.

Among the school fence construction projects were in Baras RDHS (P400,000.00; Agban E/S (Baras) - P400,000.00; Salvacion E/S (Baras) - P150,000.00; Caramoran Central E/S - P500,000.00; Dariao E/S - P300,000.00; Mabini E/S - P200,000.00; Gigmoto RDHS - P350,000.00; Gigmoto Central E/S -P200,000.00; and, Cabcab NHS (San Andres) - P100,000.00.

Other "non-essential" projects include the construction, renovation and repair of school stages in Bagamanoc RDHS (P200,000.00), Guinsaanan E/S in Baras (P150,000.00), Mabini E/S in Caramoran (P100,000.00), Cabcab NHS in San Andres (P150,000.00), Bislig E/S (P100,000.00), Codon NHS (P100,000.00), Casoocan E/S in Virac (P100,000.00), Valencia E/S (P75,000.oo), and Palta NHS (P200,000.00).

The 2001 AIP also allocated P1.46 million for the construction and improvement of barangay halls, plazas and a waiting shed in Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, San Andres and Virac. The 89 projects listed have a total cost of P49,835,000.00.