Friday, June 19, 2009

Two Mindanao solons allocate P1.2-B for UP Mindanao infra projects

UP Oblation. (UP Virtual Cimmunity)

MANILA, Philippines - Two lawmakers from Mindanao have appropriated some P1.2 billion to finance the medium-term development of the University of the Philippines in Mindanao.

House Speaker and Davao City Representative Prospero Nograles and Deputy Speaker and Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong have filed House Bill 5946 to extend financial support to the university’s Medium-Term Development Plan for 2009 to 2012 that focuses on infrastructure development.

Nograles said UP Mindanao must be supported with the infrastructure and resources it needs to fully fulfill its mandate.

“In view of its umbilical ties to the development efforts of Mindanao, it has to be supported by funds over and above what it normally shares in the Internal Operating Budget of the UP System as covered in the Annual Appropriations Act,” he said.

Under the proposed measure, the budget for various projects for 2009 include P50 million for the construction of a school of management corporate building; P50 million for the construction of a students’ dormitory; P50 million for concreting and landscaping of the University avenue; P150 million for the Mindanao Loop and Oblation Plaza; and P100 million for the construction of the UP Mindanao main library.

For calendar 2010, some P150 million was earmarked for the construction of a biotech facility for indigenous food resources, and P150 million for the construction of a college of humanities and social science building.

For 2011, about P55 million was allotted for the construction of A center for the advancement of research in Mindanao; P50 million for the construction of center for continuing education; and P250 million for the construction of a UP Mindanao Eco-habitat.

The bill also provides for the construction in 2012 of a UP Mindanao eco-habitat phase 2 pegged at P250 million.

Proponents said the amount needed to finance the implementation of this Act shall be included in the current year’s national budget, and succeeding Annual General Appropriations Act.

No comments: