Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria on Tuesday assured Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes of support for the proposed drug rehabilitation center project initiated by the Diocese of Dumaguete.
The Congressman gave his commitment to Bishop Cortes who went to Sagarbarria’s residence in barangay Calindagan to greet the solon on his 60th birthday.
Congressman Sagarbarria and Bishop Cortes discussed the proposed drug rehabilitation project, of which the Diocese will make available 14 hectares of land in barangay Silab in the town of Amlan, Negros Oriental.
According to Sagarbarria, he had learned about the proposed project from Amlan Mayor Gino de la Cruz and Vice Mayor Bentham de la Cruz.
The Amlan local government unit, as well as other mayors in Negros Oriental, have signified their intent to support and source funds for the drug rehabilitation center.
The Negros Oriental solon, a member of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, assured that he can allocate funds for infrastructure, such as a multi-purpose center, for the drug rehabilitation facility.
Sagarbarria told Bishop Cortes that the funding will be included in the 2018 budget, as the budget for 2017 has been passed.
Congress no longer allows insertions in the budget for 2017, Sagarbarria disclosed.
Bishop Cortes, meanwhile, said he is grateful for the pledge of Congressman Sagarbarria, stressing that the project is not of the Diocese alone but a joint endeavor among the church, the private sector, LGUs, and other stakeholders.
Recently, Fr. Eric Lozada and Amlan Vice Mayor de la Cruz had an audience with Health Sec. Paulyn Ubial regarding the proposed drug rehabilitation center.
The DOH is said to have also committed to support the project. Details have yet to be ironed out. (PNA)