PHL, KEXIM forge loan agreement on Panguil Bay bridge
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte– Lanao del Norte leaders were elated upon hearing the recent signing ceremony between the Philippine government (PHL) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIMEDCF). The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the Bureau of Treasury, Intramuros, Manila on April 28 this year, was for the $100.13-million loan that will fund the construction of the 4.19-kilometer Panguil Bay bridge. The mega-infrastructure project will soon connect the city of Tangub
in Misamis Occidental and the capital town of Tubod in Lanao del Norte. In the MOA signing ceremony, the Philippine Government was represented by National Treasurer Roberto Tan while Chief Representative Yongkeun Oh signed for the KEXIM-EDCF. soon connect the city of Tangub in Misamis
Occidental and the capital town of Tubod in Lanao del Norte. In the MOA signing ceremony, the Philippine Government was represented by National Treasurer Roberto Tan while Chief Representative Yongkeun Oh signed for the KEXIM-EDCF. “We are happy of this latest development. Finally, we will see the realization of this long-awaited bridge that will not only bring about more development in this part of Mindanao but will also strengthen the ties and partnerships between the coastal towns and cities surrounding Panguil Bay,” said First District Representative Imelda Q. Dimaporo. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the implementing agency for this megaproject which is expected to be finished by the year 2018. In an interview with Rep. Dimaporo, the bridge was the brainchild of her father, former Governor Arsenio Quibranza and former-Tangub mayor Alfonso Tan. However, it was her husband Second District Representative Abdullah D. Dimaporo who spearheaded the initial stages of the project when he tapped the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for a feasibility study. Rep. Dimaporo also requested DPWH to give the project its full support. For her part, Rep. Imelda Dimaporo also recommended the bridge project during several meetings at the head office of National Economic
Development Authority (NEDA). Last 2009 during her State-ofthe-Nation Address, former-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo mentioned the Panguil Bay bridge project as one of her priority projects, but the project was sidelined. When Rep. Dimaporo was reelected as Representative of the First Congressional District of Lanao del Norte, she and Representative Henry Oaminal of Misamis Occidental Second District worked hard for the project’s inclusion in the national budget. On September 2015 when Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya visited Lanao del Norte, he saw the need for the bridge project and with Rep. Dimaporo who pushes through this project, President Benigno Aquino III finally made the Panguil Bay bridge as one of his flagship projects. The project also got final approval by the NEDA Board during the term of Governor Khalid Dimaporo as chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Region 10. “We are truly thankful to Pres. Noynoy Aquino for making our dream for a Panguil Bay bridge come true,” said Rep. Imelda Dimaporo. The Panguil Bay bridge will be the first bridge infrastructure project of KEXIMEDCF here in the country. The bridge is expected to spur faster economic growth as well as improve local tourism in the northern and western part of Mindanao island. (VNL/PIA 10-LDN)
Winning candidates in Lanao Norte proclaimed ITUBOD, Lanao del Norte– Provincial Board of Canvassers officially proclaimed the officials of Lanao del Norte on May 13. Incumbent Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo has 74,730 votes over his nearest rival Jo Sanguila with 10,632 votes for the 1st District Representative position. While incumbent First District Representative Imelda QuibranzaDimaporo now running for the gubernatorial position also has led with 130,640 votes over her nearest opponent Eleanor Lantud having 60,918 votes. Second District Representative Abdullah Dimaporo’s 68,476 votes was more than enough to ensure his re-election bid against Osop Omar’s 31,509 votes. It’s a landslide victory as all of its provincial candidates for Liberal Party-Lanao del Norte Team Quibranza-Dimaporo got comfortable lead over their opponents in the recent synchronized national and local elections. “Our overwhelming victory over our political opponents only validates that the people of Lanao del Norte has approved of the kind of propeople government and leadership that we have consistently delivered here in the province,” said 1st District Representative-Elect Khalid
Dimaporo. Meanwhile in the vicegubernatorial position, LP’s Cristy Atay also has a huge lead having 112,172 votes against nearest rival Muammar Maquiling of 65,984 votes. All the LP candidates for the position of Provincial Board member won over other candidates. Among the newly elected First District Sangguniang Panlalawigan members include Grecille Matalines (47,291 votes), Mac Dibaratun (42,256 votes), Jackmar Maruhom (35,993 votes), Reinario Bihag (35,264 votes), and Marivic Ramos (31,977 votes). Newly-elected Second District Sangguniang Panlalawigan members include Cesar Yap (55,287 votes), Superman Usop (48,833 votes), Harris Ali (47,227 votes), Tawantawan Cauntongan (45,337 votes), and Ronda Maruhom (44,272 votes). Voter turnout is 71.48 percent with 349,868 votes cast from the 489,436 registered voters in Lanao del Norte. (VNL/PIA-10 LDN)
DTI to host writing contest, invites schools by Laurence D. Pradia
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 has announced that entries are now accepted as it holds the ‘Best Feature Writing’ contest on June 23-24, 2016 in Iligan City.
DTI 10 Regional Director Linda O. Boniao recently invited all universities and high schools in Bukidnon, and the entire region, to participate in the competition. This is in consonance with the activity “Negosyo, Konsyumer ATBP” which will showcase the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) rags to riches stories behind DTI interventions. Likewise, DTI-Bukidnon Provincial Director Ermedio J. Abang said this activity will showcase not just the DTI-assisted MSMEs but the students’ writing skills as well. “Aside from that, they will
also win prizes while inspiring other entrepreneurs across the country through their story,” Abang said. The contest welcomes all colleges, universities, and high schools in Bukidnon to send their entries to DTI-Bukidnon provincial office before June 10, 2016. Based on the contest criteria released by DTI-Bukidnon, all entries must feature noteworthy MSMEs whose journey was greatly influenced and affected by DTI interventions through its business development programs and services. All submitted entries will undergo a rigid screening process. Winning entries will be announced during the media conference on June 23, 2016 in Iligan City and will be published in DTI publication. “Interested schools may submit their entries at our office in Malaybalay City or call us if they have questions,” Abang said.