SP Approves 20% Counterpart Of P1M Plan International's Donation For School Building Construction

SP Approves 20% Counterpart Of P1M Plan International’s Donation For School Bldg.Construction

By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved recently during their session at the provincial capitol a 20% funds as counterpart to Plan International’s P1M donation for the construction of one unit school building with two classrooms and complete facilities at Son-ok Elementary School in Pintuyan,Panaon Island of this province.

Nevertheless, although being approved already, it was still necessary for the Provincial Board to pass a resolution no.435-s.2010 endorsing Son-ok’s resolution no.1-s.2010 to the Provincial School Board. This is with the provision that their request would be expedited due to the urgency of the need.

The favorable endorsement of SP Daisy Gumale of the second District was seconded by Cesar Rey.

On the other hand, Plan International, which is based in the Panaon Island composed of four municipalities, has requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for an accreditation.

However,SP Abelardo Almario,Chairman Committee on Laws, Rules and Ways, told the august body that Plan International, being a non-profit, non-stock organization cannot be accredited under the Government Procurement Act of which the BAC handles all procurement of goods, services and infrastructures.

Almario also commented that considering the broad and encompassing power of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,it would serve the best interest if the accreditation be made by the SP itself as a body for Plan International’s.

But the Provincial Legal Officer, Atty.Tobias Aguilar, recommended that instead of an accreditation, it would just be recognition by the SP “for the noble and humanitarian efforts of Plan International in the province”.

Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo, 111, for his part had asked Almario if the Plan International has a previous accreditation from the provincial government.Nonetheless.the latter could not give a definite answer to the former.

But when Plan International Manager Fe Montaño made a follow-up of her office’s application, Almario asked her in turn the same question thrown to him by Maamo. The Manager replied in the positive.

Moreover, the recommendation of the Legal Officer prevailed that thru resolution no.434-s.2010, the word accreditation was not used but by “extending recognition to Plan International for its noble and humanitarian efforts” by providing financial assistance and helping some poor families, most particularly in the areas where Plan International is based.

Furthermore, Gumale, the endorser of the Son-ok’s request for 20% provincial government’s counterpart for the school building construction, could not be contacted as of presstime concerning the progress of the project. She was still out of the country on official US visit, according to our source at the provincial capitol.(Quirico M. Gorpido.Jr.)