CAMIGUIN (PIA)–To fully serve the people of Camiguin, particularly in empowering the electorate toward a vibrant Philippine democracy, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will establish its provincial office at the province’s government center at Mambajao.
This, after COMELEC, the Provincial Government of Camiguin, the Office of the Lone District of Camiguin, and the Local Government of Mambajao signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the COMELEC lot and building, April 14, here.
“Isipin niyo kung ano ‘yung kaligayahan namin na magbibigay, magdodonate kahit usufruct itong lupang ito sa government center ng Camiguin, sapagkat kasabay na kasabay ito therefore ng gagawin namin na building sa main office,” COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said.
(Imagine how happy we were when the local government would give, donate even the usufruct of this land in the government center of Camiguin, because it is at the same time as the main office building that we are going to build)
Recently, the commission received approval for the construction of their main office with a total budget of P8.3 billion.
(From left) Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Mambajao Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo, and COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia sign the memorandum of understanding for the COMELEC lot and building, April 14, 2023. (JME/PIA-10/Camiguin)
The office building here will house the Provincial Office for the Supervisor, the Office of the Election Officer of Mambajao, and the Office of the Employees Union in Camiguin.
Extending his gratitude to the commission, Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said, “Thank you for your support to the province. We will surely be very supportive, and we will surely be helping each other for the good of our province and, of course, our country.”
Explaining the law on limiting the number of building storeys in the province, Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said structures in the Poblacion area should be up to the fifth floor only, while for areas outside Poblacion, buildings may be built up to two storeys.
“Para makita niyo ang ganda ng Camiguin, makita ang Hibok-Hibok, and 14 volcanoes makikita niyo. ‘Pag nandun kayo sa tuktok, makita niyo ang ganda ng White Island at saka Mantigue,” he added.
(So you can see the beauty of Camiguin, Hibok-Hibok, and the 14 volcanoes. When you get to the top, you can see the beauty of White Island and then Mantigue)
However, the representative expressed that the local government would allow an extension of the requested area, especially when COMELEC shared that they are planning to put up a dormitory to house their staff who will travel to the island for work-related purposes.
Mambajao Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo also expressed his support for the commission, saying, “Whatever the COMELEC needs, we are here to help one another.”
Currently, the government center of the province houses the offices of the Commission on Audit, the National Food Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Provincial Capitol. Also, within the year or early next year, the Land Bank of the Philippines will also put up its building in the said area. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
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