MALITA, Davao Occidental -- The country's newest province, Davao Occidental, was officially inaugurated in a ceremony held at the Municipal Hall of this capital town Thursday, June 30.
With the birth of the country's 81st province, Davao Region is now composed of five provinces -- Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, and Davao Occidental.
Davao Occidental is formerly Davao del Sur's second congressional district.
Along with the inauguration was the oath taking ceremony of the first elected provincial officials including those from the five municipalities comprising the new province, namely Malita, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani.
"Today is part of history. The creation of this province came from the motive to boost economic condition and social progress of its municipalities," Representative Lorna P. Bautista- Bandigan said in her speech adding that her priority programs will be focused on providing quality education and uplifting the lives of the indigenous people (IP), among others.
A total of 51 provincial officials sworn their oath of service yesterday comprised of a representative, Governor, Vice Governor, Board members, Mayors, Vice Mayors and councilors.
First-ever Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, in his inaugural speech emphasized that he will parallel his top priority program to President Rodrigo Duterte, which is to eliminate illegal drugs in the province.
"My first order of the day: all employees of all the municipalities, teachers and police in the province shall undertake drug test, if you won't, well just remember that drugs have no room to my province. I will make sure that for the first 100 days of operation (of his administration) we will clear the province from drugs," he said.
"Now is the time to surrender voluntarily if not I will make sure that you will be sanctioned," Bautista added.
He said his priority programs will be poverty reduction, education, livelihood program and investments.
Proposed programs and projects
Bautista said his list of priority programs include reforestation involving 100,000 hectares (has) within the first three years of his term.
He also said he intends to improve services to education in all the province' barangays especially far-flung areas.
He also promised that in two years’ time, the circumferential road for the municipality of Sarangani and better water services will be provided.
He also revealed that the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will be pouring some P250 billion of investment in the province to put up an Industrial Complex which is eyed to start construction by the second quarter of 2017.
“This will provide employment to more than 1,000 individuals here,” he said.
“To govern a newly-created province will demand extra effort, this is not an easy task, but if I will do it with my partners (mayors, councilors, etc.) I know it will happen,” he added.
Creation of Davao Occidental
Through the enactment of the Republic Act 10360 on July 23, 2013 the province was created. It was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on November 28, 2012 and December 5, 2012, respectively and later on inked by the former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on January 14, 2013.
It was then followed by a plebiscite on October 28, 2013 along with the Barangay elections.
R.A. 10360 was sponsored by former Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
According to the 2015 census of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the population of Davao Occidental reached 316, 342 people. The province has a total of 105 barangays with a total of 158, 519 registered voters as of November 16, 2015 as per Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/83324
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