(L-R) WMSU President-Dr. Milabel Enriquez-Ho, Alumni Regent and College of Law Dean-Atty. Eduardo F. Sanson, Faculty Regent-Prof. Edgar R. Araojo, former WMSU President-Dr. Grace J. Rebollos and Congresswoman Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar holds the key together during the Turn-over and Blessing Ceremony of the newly-constructed multi-purpose covered court of the university.
Zamboanga City District I Representative-Congresswoman Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar headed the Inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the multi-purpose covered court of the Western Mindanao State University last December 14, 2012.
The event was one of the highlights of the university’s celebration of its Alumni Homecoming. Congresswoman Beng, together with WMSU President-Dr. Milabel Enriquez-Ho and former WMSU President and project implementer-Dr. Grace J. Rebollos, formally commenced the Inauguration and Turn-over ceremony at the newly-constructed covered court situated near the Integrated Laboratory School-Elementary Department building. Some members of the WMSU Board of Regents, WMSU officials and members of the city council joined the symbolical key turn-over.
The multi-purpose covered court features an area of 15.24 x 28.65 meters, basketball goals and a digital scoreboard. It will serve mainly as an area for physical and other recreational activities not only for elementary pupils but for whole university as well.
It can be recalled that the lady solon allocated eight million pesos, which was sourced out from her the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the construction of the multi-purpose covered court for the university’s laboratory school sometime in December 2010. An additional three million pesos was devoted to the said project, summing up at 11 million pesos.
Congresswoman Beng said in her message, “We would like to give them a legacy that the children would be able to enjoy…that they may be able to be physically fit and they may be able to see beautiful structures.” She mentioned that she dedicates the project to all the students and even to the alumni. It is noteworthy to remember that Congresswoman Beng’s uncle, the late Zamboanga City Mayor Cesar Climaco is a distinguished alumnus of the same institution.
The lady solon took the opportunity to thank Integrated Laboratory School-Elementary Department Principal-Yolanda Natividad and her husband and Tetuan Barangay Chairman-Felipe Natividad for the initiative, together with University/Board Secretary Dr. Danilo Corteza, who made the request for the covered court. The congresswoman also honored WMSU’s former president, Dr. Grace J. Rebollos, whose administration the project was started.
“If we will hold the key together, we will hold on together. And with the key more doors and opportunities will be opened,” Dr. Ho said in her speech after the turn-over.
Furthermore, she expressed how proud she was having accepted the covered court and its amenities and she also added that she is grateful to the city government, especially to Congresswoman Beng for choosing WMSU to be the beneficiary of the project.
The status of the project is now completed and it has met the requirements laid out by the competent authorities. The unfinished phase of the court which is allocated for the bleachers was in the meantime in standstill but the councilors who were present during the occasion already pledged for its completion. A sum total of 3.7 million pesos pledge by the public servants will be apportioned to the completion of the court’s bleachers. (EKEENA O. LIM, WMSU-PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE)
