Sen. Guingona lauds Butuan mayor

By Robert E. Roperos

Saturday 4th of August 2012

BUTUAN CITY, Aug 4 (PIA) -- Senator Teofisto Guingona III on Thursday lauded city Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. for having been mentioned by President Aquino during his State of the Address (SONA) last July 23.

Speaking before the participants of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference during the opening ceremony held here, Guingona said the President has recognized the efforts of Amante in curbing illegal logging activities by intensifying the campaign against it.

Guingona added that Amante was the only mayor in the country who was acknowledged by the President in his SONA, and for this, he said the residents of Minadanao are truly proud of the mayor.

It can be recalled that series of apprehensions of illegally cut logs were conducted by the city government in different areas of the city. The operation was also conducted in cooperation with the Philippine National Police of the region.

Meanwhile, Guingona also congratulated Amante for intensifying its partnership with the private sectors and establishments through the public-private partnership program of the city government.

Guingona said because of this program, the city will eventually prosper, which is also the mandate of the Aquino administration. He added the government needs the cooperation of the private establishments to move the country forward.

Guingona together with his father, former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr., his mother, Gingoog city mayor Ruth Guingona, were here in the city recently to grace the turnover of the family-owned five-hectare lot in Barangay Ampayon here to the city government.

The lot will be used for the establishment of the Philippine Science High School-Butuan Campus. The ceremony was conducted at the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology on Wednesday. It was attended by the city officials, led by Mayor Amante.

The Guingonas were also the guests of honor during the 62nd Charter Day Celebration of the city dubbed “Adlaw Hong Butuan” last August 2. During the celebration, the Guingonas joined the city officials in the inauguration of Guingona Park, formerly the city’s Rizal Park, located in front of Saint Joseph Cathedral here. (RER – PIA-Caraga)