The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) breaks ground for the future “employees’ village” located at barangay Malayo Sur, Cortes town. The groundbreaking ceremony transpired on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 with Gov. Arthur Yap, Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos, and Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven Lim leading the ceremonies together with Board Members Aldner Damalerio, Ricky Masamayor, Frans Garcia, and Jescelo Adiong, Provincial Administrator Kathyrin Pioquinto and heads of offices of the PGBh. According to Pioquinto, PGBh is embarking on a project to provide decent housing to its employees. She added that the project is a socialized to low-cost, medium-cost housing project providing housing units to the PGBh employees. The employees will then pay the amortization for the housing units through salary deduction. The project is situated at the PGBh’s 11.7-hectare property in Cortes town. According to information from the PGBh, the village is one of the major provisions of the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) between the PGBh and the employees at the Capitol. The same information said that 50% of the total area will be alloted for housing units, 30% of the area will be for open spaces and the roads, and 20% will be for economic enterprises. At least 1,000 housing units will be built in the area. For his part, Mayor Lim said he is glad that the “spillover” of projects and national offices from Tagbilaran finds its way to his town. He cited the presence of the Department ot Health (DOH) warehouse, the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the forthcoming Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) as examples of projects that found their way to his town. In his speech, Yap said that he is glad to see the start of the realization of an “elusive dream” of the PGBh for the employees. Meanwhile, a search for the Best Concept Design for the PGBh Employees’ Village will soon happen. Hence all practicing and aspiring architects, engineers, and design professionals whether or not based in Bohol are invited to join. Furthermore, Yap disclosed that the top prize in the design contest is P1million for the first prize, second prize is P400,000, and the third prize is P200,000. A consolation prize of P50,000 each will be given to the fourth to 11th placers.
Solon’s capitol office re-opens tomorrow, Jan. 25
