NEWSFLASH

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HOUSING PROGRAM, WIDENING OF FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS FOR BUKIDNON TOWNS

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, March 10, 2002 - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today instructed the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council to assist the provincial government of Bukidnon in the construction of homes for the poorest of the poor here as part of her administration’s fight against poverty.

The President made this directive during a speech at Bukidnon’s 85th Foundation Anniversary and Kaamulan Festival held at the provincial capitol grounds here.

She said the National Housing Authority, under its resettlement project, would build housing units worth P25,000 each in the lands for which titles and certificates were earlier distributed by Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri to 265 beneficiaries.

She added that funds for the housing project would come from concerned government agencies and private institutions like the World Bank.

The President also said she would work it out with the Couples for Christ and Singles for Christ movements to include Bukidnon in their housing program which aimed to build 1,000 houses for poor families in various parts of the country.

After her speech, the President led in the distribution and awarding of various government programs and projects for the people of Bukidnon.

The President gave out four checks totaling P1.35 million for projects implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Strategic Agriculture Fisheries Development Zone.

The projects included the construction and widening of farm-to-market roads in Kalilangan, the purchase of draft animals in Cabanglasan and the establishment of a nursery and training center in Kadingilan, all in Bukidnon.

The President also turned over farm tractors to the Lumintao, San Isidro Labrador and Bukinon multi-purpose cooperatives based in Lumintao and Pangantucan towns and in Valencia City.

She also led officials in the ceremonial distribution of Philhealth identification cards to some 100 beneficiaries.

Coordinated with Bukidnon’s Provincial Indigency Program, the health insurance coverage has started benefiting some 15,000 people in the province.

She further led the ceremonial distribution of over 900 land titles and certificates of land ownership to beneficiaries under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Handog Titulo program and the Department of Agrarian Reform land reform program.

In one of the highlights of the ceremony, the President received from the representatives of the seven tribes of Bukidnon an intricately beaded dress made in the native style as a gift for her gracing the province’s Communal Festival.

Wearing the dress, the President joined Bukidnon women in a thanksgiving dance to the tune of ethnic instruments.

Together with the provincial, local and other officials of the government, the Chief Executive also led the release of white doves and multi-colored balloons symbolizing the celebration of peace in Bukidnon.

Among those present in the occasion were HUDCC Chairman Michael Defensor, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on One Million Jobs Luisito Lorenzo, Presidential Adviser Paul Dominguez, Bukidnon Reps. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Dist. 3), Berthoval Ancheta (Dist. 2), Nereus Acosta (Dist. 1) and Malaybalay Mayor Florencio Flores, Jr.