The Sagay City local government turned over yesterday low-cost houses, opened its new City Health Office and museum, and started a Gawad Kalinga housing program at the formal opening of the 10th Sinigayan Festival.

Gov. Joseph Marañon said Sagay City will soon be recognized as one of the progressive cities in the Philippines.

Marañon was among the guest of honors during the opening rites.

During the formal opening, 30 low-cost housing units were turned over by Sagay Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva in Sitio Chloe, Barangay Rizal, while Vice-mayor Joseph Gerard Marañon led the inauguration of the new CHO. The 30 houses costing P90,000 with P60,000 funded by the National Housing Authority, and P30,000 by the Sagay local government, was worked out by Rep. Alfredo Marañon Jr. through the NHA and the Lingap sa Mahihirap Housing Program.

About P4 million was provided by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government to construct the new CHO, while Philhealth also contributed P2.3 million from its tax fund. The local government of Sagay added P300,000.

Cueva said they are also dedicating the festival to the memory of the late Mayor Fortunato Javelosa.

Cueva also led in the groundbreaking of the Gawad Kalinga housing site at the Peace Village in Brgy. Andres Bonifacio. GK spearheaded the project in coordination with the Couples for Christ Sagay Chapter.

The two-hectare land donated by the Mirasol Development Corporation, will serve as a resettlement area for rebel returnees and the less fortunate, CFC project director Ramon Peñalosa said.

Gov. Marañon said the GK housing program does not only serve as a resettlement area, but it will also help in the transformation of lives of beneficiaries.

A whale-shaped building will serve as the new Museo Sang Bata Sa Negros that also conducted its soft opening at the Old Sagay Wharf, Brgy. Old Sagay.

Leading the opening rites were Gov. Marañon, Cueva, MSBSN president Sonia Sarrosa, and MSBSN vice-president Lyn Gamboa.

Sagay City first lady Maritess Cueva also led the opening ceremonies of the Bugay-Sagay Agro Aqua Festival Village, Sagay City Bonsai Club Exhibit and Duag-Sagay Artists Festival Village. The Taliambong Food Festival Village was also opened yesterday.

The 10th Sinigayan Festival began March 10 with the talent night for the search of the Sinigayan Queen 2006, and will be capped on Sunday with the Sinigay sa Sagay Streetdancing Competitions.*CIT

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