With a firm resolve to continue serving his provincemates in any capacity even after his final term in the House of Representatives expires next year, Rep. Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy, Jr. humbly reports to the people of South Cotabato on the various projects and programs accomplished during his incumbency from July 2001 up to present.
P448-M infrastructure projects
Infrastructure cornered the highest allotment in terms of amount in pesos totaling over P448 million funded and secured by Rep. Pingoy from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and from other government agencies and offices. These funds were allocated for the construction, improvement, repair and rehabilitation of at least 130 schoolbuildings, 31 roads (including farm-to-market roads), 25 bridges, 21 flood control structures, 199 multi-purpose buildings, over 43 multi-purpose pavements, 73 potable water systems & other water system structures, as well as more than 20 electrification projects, all of which were implemented by various government agencies and local government units in South Cotabato. (see Figure 1)
Multi-purpose buildings, which amounted to more than P194 million of the total allocation for infrastructure, include more or less 15 day care centers, nine public markets, six health centers, three (12) senior citizens centers, seven municipal gyms, 32 barangay halls, 69 barangay gyms, two (2) barangay stages, and (2) two workshop centers.
More than 50,000 scholarship grantees
From School Year 2002-2003 up to present, Rep. Pingoy continues to provide educational assistance to qualified elementary, highschool and tertiary level students in South Cotabato under the AYP Scholarship Program which has sustained support to at least 51,152 scholars with total funding of ________. (see Figure 2)
Figure 2. AYP Scholars (2001-2009)
A total of 165 computers sets with printers and several typewriters were also distributed by Rep. Pingoy to more than a hundred public elementary and secondary schools, as well as several barangays and government offices in the 2nd District. Books and school supplies were given to 101 schools, including the Special Education Center Program at Koronadal National Comprehensive Highschool (KNCHS).
Seventeen (17) day care centers also received a total of 9,102 sets of notebooks from Cong. Pingoy who likewise distributed more than a thousand free t-shirts to Day Care students in T’boli town.
Over 80,000 beneficiaries of health various program
Rep. Pingoy’s Regular Medical Mission served a total of 62,229 beneficiaries throughout the province with an unprecedented record of 24,008 children circumcised under Operation Tuli -- a feat that could even qualify for a Guiness Record -- while some 23,806 individuals received dental services. Another 13,627 constituents were also attended under the Eye Checkup Program, in addition to at least 788 who underwent minor ear-piercing operations. (see Figure 3)
Figure 3. AYP Medical Mission
At least 20,000 constituents -- as well as their dependents – in the different localities of South Cotabato were enrolled under the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), made possible because Rep. Pingoy continuously allotted funds to cover their counterpart share in insurance premiums payments, and for which Philhealth Region XII cited the senior lawmaker for having the most number of enrollees to the program under the legislative sponsorship category.
Apart from foregoing, thousands of mostly indigents constituents from the province were granted medical assistance worth P3.2 million since 2001 from Rep. Pingoy’s Medical Assistance Fund which were allocated to the Davao Medical Center (DMC), Philippine Heart Center (PHC), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) for the use by less fortunate provincemates needing medicines, medical and hospital care services.
Sets of Medical Kits were also purchased and distributed to augment the medical supply of a number of local health centers districtwide.
2,651 recipients of livelihood packages & trainings
Since 2001, at least eight (8) livelihood programs have been sponsored by Cong. Pingoy benefiting some 2,651 families in his District. These programs, which were implemented in partnership with the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others, include: community-based credit assistance program through the Self-Employment Assistance for Kaunlaran, otherwise known as SEA-K which involved 1,321 constituents coming from 72 community-based sectoral organizations; Tricyle Pangkabuhayan with 77 beneficiaries; Distribution of sewing machines to 30 qualified recipients; Dispersal program of 305 hogs, 100 cabers, and 50 goats to 455 families; Reflexology trainings for a total of 80 participants; and Livelihood trainings in making fashion accessories to 688 enterprising individuals who were given each a free Livelihood Kit.
Social service assistance to thousands of indigents
Thousands of indigent constituents facing critical or distress situations were also provided by Rep. Pingoy with necessary interventions and financial assistance through the allocation of funds totaling P29 million since 2001 to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) both at its central office in Quezon City and the Regional Field Office XII in Koronadal City. The beneficiaries were provided burial assistance, transport, food, and medical allowances, among others.
P131.60 million fund for LGUs
Recognizing the insufficiency of funds in his District’s seven (7) municipalities to implement government functions devolved from the national to local government units (LGUs), Cong. Pingoy allocated from his PDAF a total P131.59 million as financial assistance to the towns of Banga (P7.50 million), Lake Sebu (P11.50 million), Norala (P21.09 million), Sto. Niño (19.50 million), Surallah (P10.10 million), T’boli (P1.90 million), and Tantangan (P26.62 million).
These funds are on top of the total amount of P33.38 million that Rep. Pingoy allotted to the Provincial Government of South Cotabato.
Support to various organizations
Another P3.15 million was given to more than 30 socio-civic, community-based, and non-governmental organizations and associations as well as cooperatives in the province.
Patrol vehicles, Multi-Cabs, Firetruck & motorcyles
Seven (7) patrol vehicles, 44 motorcycles and 77 patrol-type multi-cabs were distributed by Cong. Pingoy to the different barangays of Banga, Norala, Sto. Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, Sebu, and T’boli, including the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) local chapter, the Provincial Commands of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He also requested the provision of a firetruck from the Bureau of Fire Protection for the Banga Fire Station.
