Mayor thanks Gov for town's agro projects

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 18, 2009) – Mayor Reynaldo Constantino thanked the provincial government for complementing the town’s agricultural thrust in nutrition and organic farming with provincial infrastructural projects.

“I remember two years ago when I insisted to the Governor our town’s flagship program which is agriculture, and he soon agreed,” Constantino said Tuesday (August 18). Constantino and Governor Migs Dominguez graced the 55th founding anniversary and 1st Santifun festival of barangay Malalag Cogon.

Constantino said the governor has been complementing the town’s agriculture projects with the province’s implementation of its infrastructure programs.

“Go on with your agriculture, and I will support you with infrastructure,” Constantino recalled Governor Dominguez as saying.

“There I saw his sincerity in public service that inspired me,” Constantino said. “Although we are not of the same party during the last elections (2007), and I was the lone opposition who won the mayoralty, maganda ang relasyon namin (we have a good relationship).”

Constantino acknowledged the provincial government providing additional 50 provincial-paid teachers for Malungon schools. A total of 250 teachers are fielded by the provincial school board in Malungon and the other towns.

“Indi ko kamo pahuy-an (I will not put you to shame),” Constantino told the community. “I don’t want you to remember me as a builder of roads and bridges, but as a builder of character.”

For his part, Governor Dominguez reminded local officials of the virtue of simplicity and humility in public service.

“Let it be our guiding light,” the governor said.

“Ang inyong pagmamahal sa amin ang nagsisilbing inspirasyon para kayo ay paglingkuran,” the governor told the community.

The celebration included awarding of certificates for outstanding community workers in nutrition, landscaping, communal gardening, day care teaching, Lupong Tagapamayapa, and teachers’ participation in community undertakings.

Santifun is a Blaan term for gathering or assembly. During the town’s early years, the pioneers of Malungon who are the Blaans and Tagakaolos assembled here to trade their products from the mountains and spent the day for community discussions. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)