Sarangani to adopt “JLC Capitol Building”

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) – The naming of Sarangani
Provincial Capitol as JLC Capitol Building in honor of its founder, the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian, shall take effect immediately upon the approval of an ordinance.

Draft Ordinance No. 2011-7-08 was jointly sponsored by Board Members Eugene Alzate, Cornelio Martinez, Elmer de Peralta, Alexander Bryan Reganit, Hermie Galzote, Eleanor Saguiguit, Virgilio Clark Tobias, Limuel Gacula, Benedicto Ruiz II, Abdulracman Pangolima, George Perrett, Arman Guili and Victor James Yap Jr.

The ordinance noted that other than the world-class coastal highway, the Provincial Capitol Building serves as a prominent feature of the province’s infrastructure development achieved under the initiative of the late Rep. Chiongbian.

Sarangani was created in 1992 as a new province from then the 3rd District of South Cotabato.

“As a new province at that time, Congressman James L. Chiongbian
tirelessly accessed funds and implemented social and economic
infrastructure like farm-to-market roads, bridges, flood control, school buildings, spring and water development, irrigation, municipal hospitals, sea walls and ports,” according to the draft ordinance.

“He granted scholarships to poor but deserving students of the province, provided livelihood programs and sponsored and co-sponsored hundreds of House bills with local and national applications.”

In addition, the ordinance stated that “enough space” would be provided “outside the main Provincial Capitol building for the institution of a statue, signage, memorabilia, and/or any landmarks representing the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian and his remarkable accomplishments for the Province of Sarangani and the whole SOCSARGEN area.”

The ordinance also provides for activities to be conducted honoring the deeds of the late Congressman during foundation anniversaries of the province, with appropriation to be included in the regular subsidy of the provincial government.

The Sarangani Provincial Employees Union through its
president Anacleto Saya-ang has expressed support to the ordinance.

In a letter sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Saya-ang said “we in the Sarangani Provincial Employees Union (SPEU) are very much supportive to the draft ordinance of the honorable board members naming the main Provincial Capitol Building of the Provincial Government of Sarangani as Congressman James L. Chiongbian (JLC) Building.”

Aside from the creation of Sarangani as a province through Republic Act No. 7228, Congressman Chiongbian also authored Republic Act No. 5412 otherwise known as the Charter of General Santos City. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)