Bautista calls for unity as province turns two years

By Eldie S. Aguirre
Digos City Bureau Chief

MALITA, Davao Occidental — Governor Claude Bautista called on public officials to unite and join hands toward a common goal of liberating the people from the bondage of poverty and dependency to the government.

“From this point, we have to work hard, unite ourselves to face the biggest challenge in liberating our constituents from the bondage of poverty. We have to be consistent at all times to achieve our goals of providing decent job and sufficient earnings for every family so that their children will have the opportunity to finish their study, get employment and make a strong family of their own,” Bautista said during the culmination program of the 2nd founding anniversary of Davao Occidental on Saturday.

The governor said this will be his administration’s main thrust, while giving focus in accommodating potential investors coming in to this vibrant province since its creation two years ago.

“Infrastructure projects and other similar programs could be done by any government officials, but getting our impoverished people out of poverty is a much bigger challenge that we must give priority among other things. Together we can do it,” Bautista said.

Just recently, the provincial government has launched the “Bihis Bata” program which aimed to give assistance to all students in pre-school and elementary pupils by providing complete set of uniforms, shoes, socks, bags among others.

Vice-Governor Franklin Bautista said the provincial board members has released an initial amount of P9-million to purchase at least seven thousand sets for the program.