SASMUAN, Pampanga — Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda announced on Tuesday that the provincial government has infused P19,474,345,90 worth of projects in this town from 2012 and 2013 as she committed anew to improve the general welfare of the people here through providing more projects.
This was pronounced by the governor during the second leg of the “Kapitolyo Sa Barangay” held in Barangay Sto Tomas which is aimed at bringing the services, programs and projects of the provincial government closer to the rural folks.
Pineda added these infrastructures are mostly improvement of roads, anti-flood projects and construction of schools in Barangays Malusac, Sta. Lucia, San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, San Nicolas 2nd, Sebitanan and Mabuanbuan.
Another project which is set to be awarded to the winning bidder is the construction of the P2,062,990 multi-purpose covered court in Mabuanbuan, one of the coastal villages here.
The governor told the 400 participants that the Capitol is set to establish extension campuses of the Don Honorio Ventura Technical State University (DHVTSU) in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Lubao and Guagua Community College to cater to poor students of Sasmuan, Lubao and Guagua towns.
She added that she will also improve the equipment and medical services at the Escolastica Romero District Hospital in Lubao, which is about five minutes away by land travel from the town proper of Sasmuan.
Mayor Nardo Velasco said they are “very grateful” to the governor for considering their this fourth-class municipality, the second recipient of the Kapitolyo sa Barangay after the Capitol completed the program in nearby Lubao town.
He lauded the two-term governor and Vice Governor Dennis Pineda for their “consistent and all-out support” to the town, which has at least 35,000 people.
This town is located at the southern portion of Lubao. It has a projected budget of P64,178,433.97 for 2014, according to municipal treasurer Lolita Songco.
“Sasmuan’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) is P57, 637, 566 and other sources of income are: P2,511,466.57, tax revenue; and non-tax revenue 3,336,825.94,” Songco said.
This town has a total land area of 4,000 hectares of land and it is one of the first to be affected by floods during the annual rainy season.
“Only two percent of the total area or 80 hectares is covered by land and the remaining is man-made and natural rivers,” the mayor explained.
Velasco described the coastal town “as poor and an adopted son of Lubao.
Pia Sambat, head of municipal social welfare office, said at least 90 percent of the some 35,000 population of their town rely on the operations of fishponds and fishing as their means of major livelihood.
President Edwin Banting, president of Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) of Sasmuan lauded the accomplishment of the provincial government under the leadership of the incumbent governor. He cited her program on health, livelihood, peace and order, education and agriculture.
Board Member Gerome Tubig, ex-officio member of the provincial board and representatives of the Pampanga’s 505 village chiefs, said “Pineda is a hard worker starting her job as early as 5 in the morning.”
Sasmuan Vice Mayor Renato Banting, Board Members Tonton Torres, Mike Tapang, Salvador “Jun” Dimson and Arthur Salalila and former Second District Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon attended the event and other department heads of the Capitol.
BY JOEL P. MAPILES
