PACQUIAO: AQUINO TO ALLOT P200M FOR SARANGANI HOSPITAL
ALABEL, SARANGANI, NOVEMBER 25, 2010 (INQUIRER MINDANAO) BY Aquiles Zonio – World boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao assured his constituents, on Thursday, of President Benigno Aquino III's commitment to allot P200 million for the building of a provincial hospital here.
Pacquiao said the President made the commitment during their meeting in Malacañang in October while he was in the thick of preparations for his recent fight.
Pacquiao announced the President's commitment during a hero's welcome ceremony here Thursday morning. His disclosure drew strong applause from his constituents and even from provincial officials led by Governor Miguel Dominguez.
Pacquiao arrived in time for the culmination of activities of the province's 18th Foundation Anniversary and 8th Munato Festival.
The boxing pound-for-pound king and his entourage arrived at the General Santos City airport around 8:45 a.m. via a commercial flight. He was met by the local officials of General Santos City led by Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Riding on a float, the Pacman led the motorcade from the airport all the way to the city's business hub where he was met by the provincial officials of Sarangani.
People from the airport all the way to Sarangani lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of the world boxing idol. Some of them waved their hands upon seeing the boxing hero on a float, while others kept chanting his name.
Two helicopters hovered above during the whole duration of the motorcade from the airport to Sarangani provincial capitol.
The provincial hospital, Pacquiao said, would be built in the capital town of Alabel "maybe in April or May next year."
"Gagawin ko ang lahat upang mapadali ang pagpapatayo ng provincial hospital dito sa aking distrito [I will do everything to expedite the building of a provincial hospital in my district]," the boxer-politician said.
The building of a hospital has been Pacquiao's campaign promise to residents.
Governor Dominguez was optimistic that with the influence and popularity of Pacquiao, the provincial hospital could be finished in a year's time.
"This is the beauty here in Sarangani. After the election, we work together for the common welfare of our people. We forget about our political differences," Dominguez said.
"My congressional office and the provincial government will help each other as to the sustenance and maintenance of the hospital," Pacquiao added.
The world boxing hero pledged to find the means to get the medical equipment for the hospital.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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