City gov’t greeted by the first two infra projects this year
As the year 2023 began, the City of Koronadal was greeted by the first two (2) infrastructure projects, both worth millions. The projects include paving the road in Barangay San Jose and constructing the gymnasium at Concepcion National High School (CNHS).
The road project which has a total cost of Php82, 460,000.00, was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XII and has been recently handed over to the beneficiaries through the city government. The turned-over ceremony only covered phases two (2) and three (3) since phase one (1) was already done.
The project was carried out in three (3) phases, beginning in the year 2020 and ending last year (2022), with the following yearly budget:
| Year Completed | Location | Appropriated Budget |
| Phase 1 – 2020 | Prk. San Jose Proper to Sitio Boundary | Php29, 460, 000.00 |
| Phase 2 – 2021 | Prk. Lower San Jose | Php28, 000, 000.00 |
| Phase 3 – 2022 | Prk. Tinago | Php25, 000, 000.00 |
| Total | Php82, 460, 000.00 |
Meanwhile, Brgy. Captain Danilo Simtim blissfully extended his appreciation for the unexpected project because they thought Prk. Tinago would remain as it is. “Wala ako nag-expect nga ang Prk. Tinago mapanami,” Brgy. Captain Simtim as he expressed his doubtfulness, however, he also believes that everything is not impossible if things are being worked on, thus, he is looking forward to more projects.
As one of the recipients of the aforementioned project, Tinago Prk. President Juan Lagunday, Jr. also shared his experience during a time when their journey was still difficult. He remembered how difficult it was for them to walk because of the thick mud that stuck to their feet during the rainy season, which hampered their activities.
Simtim, on the other hand, also insinuated City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena regarding the paving of Sitio kadidang road which has the potential to become a tourist attraction in the city due to the cave’s existence.
In response to the resident’s request for the said area, Mayor Ogena guaranteed a continuous road network. In fact, he is planning to connect the remaining almost 1km unpaved road of Prk. Kipalbis of the said barangay. “Lauman ninyo ang damo nga programa,” he said. Mayor Ogena reassured the community by pledging to make use of new technology. The mayor is currently aggressively seeking funding from various government agencies to complete pending and initiated projects.
DPWH XII District Engr. Aly Khan U. Ali, on the other hand, hopes that the project will assist recipients in easily facilitating the transportation of their products into the market, thereby improving their lives.
The said road concretion was materialized through the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program which is a working arrangement between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DPWH to jointly undertake the planning, budgeting, advocacy for legislation, identification, evaluation, prioritization, regulation, supervision, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of industry-developing infrastructure projects in priority economic and manufacturing zones in the Philippines. These projects will aid the growth of industry and trade.
Further, aside from the above-mentioned officials, present during the turned-over ceremony which was conducted last January 24, were City Councilors Ester Marin-Catorce, Johnrey Rodriguez, Sharmaigne Ariane Sala, Ellen Grace Subere-Albios, Charene Kristele Jumilla, Gregorio Presga, City Administrator Atty. Rene Jumilla, City Engr. Ruel Tianchon, barangay and purok officials, and the concerned recipients.
Moreover, after a long period of waiting, the gymnasium of Concepcion National High School (CNHS) is soon to rise with a budget of 3.5 million pesos. It measures 24×20 with a land area of 480sqm and is funded by Special Education Fund (SEF).
As an indication that construction could begin, the groundbreaking ceremony was held and attended by the mayor together with the above-mentioned city councilors. Aside from the city officials, also joining with them were Barangay Development Program (BDP) Coordinator Engr. Jonh Jovi Angor, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Crispin A. Soliven, Jr., CESE, of Department of Education (DepEd) Koronadal City, CNHS Principal Randy Pendilla, teachers, students, and other school officials.
SDS Soliven, Jr. and CNHS Principal Pendilla expressed their gratitude to the city government for granting such a project that will benefit not only students but also teachers.