SOPA 2016 SARANGANI PROVINCE

                        SULONG SARANGANI

                                                                

                        STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS of GOVERNORSTEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON

        “STORIES OF CHANGE”

       Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) Thursday (March 17) condensing into his estimated two-hour speech his string of accomplishments as first-termer governor.

       Solon, however, emphasized during the preliminary that his address is not just like any report card but a right forum for all Sarangans to be informed of Sarangani’s progress.

       The last three years, he said could simply be summarized to only three points-convergence focus on the poorest barangays, and God-centered leadership to achieve God-centered prosperity.

       But Solon succeeded into relating “stories of change” culled out as impact of the different evidence-based interventions he called Sarangani Pillars of Development.

       These, he said, have enhanced Sarangani “from what it was into a progressive, developed, happy, motivated, peaceful, healthy and God-centered province in Mindanao.

       In his SOPA, the infra sector stood out among the other development efforts with P1.1 billion for the opening of farm-to market and tourism roads, construction of buildings, bridges, water systems and river controls that was obtained from the Annual Investment Plan and external funds the provincial local government unit (PLGU) has sourced out.

       In his administration, he said, the provincial government worked to appropriate funding for infrastructure to give access to communities and make the province attractive to investors.

       “Another P100, 669,401.33 has been allocated for 2016 for additional projects. This only showed the provincial government’s integrity of bringing to the people the sequel of the taxes remitted to the government”, he said.

       Solon also give emphasis of his administration “better health for all Sarangans, better health para sa mga kabus,” approach of various health interventions to the province’s constituents.

       Also from the upgrading of the District Hospitals and the most-awaited completion of the provincial hospital, PLGU Sarangani too has succeeded in bringing health services closer to far-off communities thru medical missions and construction of health facilities and birthing homes.

    

      The Philhealth sa Masa, which the PLGU funded for P16.4 million, aided “indigent patients (to) be free from the liability of the hospitals expenses. “Solon calculated that 9 out of 10 indigent patients admitted to the hospitals did not spend anything on their hospitalization.”

      The PLGU already settled in 2014 its P17 million 2011-2013 account with partner private hospitals in General Santos City and paid another P55.5 million for the hospitalization of 6,154 indigent patients coming from Sarangani.

       For education, Solon reported millions of pesos for interventions ensuring the future of Sarangani children. “It is the most tangible undertaking that assures to uplift a poor individuals life and that of his or her family.” He said.

       Meanwhile Solon also reported significant effort for the provincial government of reaching out to the local and community leaders in capacitating them in the exercise of proper local legislations and in maintaining peace and order in the province. (BCP)