Cutie turns over P1M bldg project to NGO

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar yesterday turned over P1 million worth of building project to Lihok Pilipina Foundation.

The building which she funded out of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was named as the New Bantay Banay Center. The building will cater to the organization’s different programs such as wellness trainings and sanitary orientation.

Bantay Banay Vice President Paz Torlao said the building is just the first phase of the three-storey building that the organization has envisioned to build as soon as there is fund available.

The new building rises beside the old center in Barangay Sambag II where the foundation offer services like reflexology, communication workshops, sanitary orientation for mothers and herbal plant production.

Torlao said they started the construction of the first phase of the project in January and was completed last March.

“Bantay Banay is very happy to receive the building although it’s still in phase 1 because we really need to have a bigger space when we hold meetings. We don’t need to look for other venues in holding our trainings and activities since we have ours now,” Torlao said.

Del Mar promises to give additional amount to complete the project. She added that she has seen the humble beginnings of the organization and is continuing what her father former Representative Raul del Mar has started.

“I make sure I have funds for this. This NGO has been here for more than 20 years helping the women and children. We will be in our fight against violence against women,” del Mar said. (FREEMAN)