DavOcc breaks ground for P3-B capitol bldg

THE groundbreaking ceremony for the P3billion Davao Occidental Provincial Capitol Building and Government Business Center was held yesterday in Barangay Lais, Malita, Davao Occidental.

Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista told reporters yesterday that target date of completion of the construction of the Capitol building is within two years, while the whole complex will be from three to four years.

The 30-hectare lot for the facility was donated by Eduardo Danding Cojuanco of San Miguel Corporation.

"The whole complex will have the Capitol building, Sangguniang Panlalawigan building, coliseum, gymnasium, water sports facility, villages for the athletes because hopefully after three to four years we can host a Palarong Pambansa here," Bautista said.

He added that Senator Manny Pacquiao donated a total of P1 billion for the Capitol complex.

"As a newly established province, this (Capitol) is a necessity. But it is only one of the programs that we are doing here in province, the biggest interest we have now is the upliftment of the livelihood of the citizens of our province," Bautista said.

He said that they chose the site for the capitol since it is an industrial zone.

Joining Bautista yesterday during the ceremony were Davao City Mayor Sara Z. DuterteCarpio, Davao Occidental Representative Lorna Bautista-Bandigan, other provincial officials, municipal officials and regional heads of some national government offices. KVC

MACKY LIM BETTER HARVEST. A durian vendor entices pedestrians passing in front of their stall at Magsaysay Park by showing them the insides of the fruit. According to the Durian Industry Council of Davao City, a good harvest is expected for the month of August.