Legarda Brings Gov’t Closer to Antiqueños

Senator “Inday Loren” Legarda on Sunday met with barangay leaders and residents of San Remigio town to announce her projects for the municipality and stressed that she will bring the government closer to Antiqueños.

Legarda excitedly told the crowd about the upgrading of the San Remigio Rural Health Unit to a polyclinic with complete equipment and the Botika ng Bayan that will make medicine accessible to indigenous peoples such as the Iraynon-Bukidnon and the Ati, who are unable to go to pharmacies and hospitals. She noted that her great grandfather, Ariston Gella, was the first pharmacist of the province and its first representative to the Malolos Congress, which is why she gives importance to health care.

The Antiqueña senator also said that there is funding under the 2019 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of the Nasuli-Vilvar Bridge along the Sibalom River.

Legarda said that Atty. Irene Mae Alcobilla, 2014 Bar topnotcher and San Remigio’s pride, was one of those who brought to her attention the need for the construction of such bridge. Alcobilla’s mother and brother drowned in the river during Typhoon Frank and she would cross the river everyday to get to school.

“I am sure many more Irenes are crossing that river just to get to school. But with the construction of this bridge and the programs we are providing San Remigio and the whole of Antique, there is brighter future for our children who will now have greater access to education, more opportunities for livelihood and greater chance to succeed in life,” said Legarda.

The senator also said she intends to make San Remigio an ecotourism destination—the “Little Baguio of Antique”—with the Rice Terraces found in Barangay General Fullon, the Aningalan Strawberry Farm, Igbaclag Cave in Aningalan, and Danao Lake as its major tourist spots.

Aside from the repair and upgrade of classrooms and CHED Tulong Dunong scholarships, Legarda also provided various livelihood support programs.

Through the Department of Science and Technology – Empowering Communities Through Science and Technology (DOST-CEST), Legarda was able to support the TechnoHub in San Remigio focused on processed vegetables and root crops.

Other projects of Legarda include Sustainable Livelihood Programs for the Iguirindon Cattle Breeders Association, Nagbangi 2 Cattle Owners Association, Ianpil Growers Association, and Sinundulan Hog Raisers Association and the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD Program for the unemployed and displaced workers.

“Our enemy here is poverty, ignorance, unemployment. It is time that we let the world know about Antique’s beauty and abundance. The world will see our province thrive and be a model of inclusive, resilient and sustainable progress,” Legarda concluded.