Basilan acquires P200-M loan

BASILAN Provincial Government has secured from the Philippine National Bank (PNB) a P200 million loan that will be used to finance the implementation of socio-economic projects in the province.

Lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr., Basilan provincial legal officer, said the funds will be used for the construction of farm-to-market roads, heavy equipment and other vehicles, as well as the completion of the new Provincial Capitol.

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Of the total amount borrowed, P40 million will be used for the completion of the new capitol building, while the P10 million for the construction of farm-to-market roads, and P60 million for heavy equipment and other vehicles.

Esguerra said the new provincial Capitol is located in the village of Sumagdang, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.

He said the old Provincial Capitol building, which is located in downtown Isabela City, will be converted into a one-stop-shop to house other agencies of government.

The purpose of converting the old Capitol building into a one-stop-shop is to make the government agencies accessible to the public, he added.

Esguerra said Basilan Governor Jum Akbar has vowed to be transparent in undertaking the projects intended to uplift the socio-economic activities of the province.

Basilan comprises 11 towns -- Al-Barka, Akbar, Hadji Mutamad, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Lantawan, Maluso, Tabuan Lasa, Tipo-Tipo, Tuburan, Sumisip, and Ungkaya Pukan and two cities--Lamitan and Isabela. (Bong Garcia)