New Lamitan City Hall in Basilan inaugurated

Former House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin (in suit) led the inauguration and blessing Monday, October 8, 2007, of the new four-storey Lamitan City Hall worth P20 million in the island province of Basilan.

The former Basilan solon was assisted by Mayor Roderick Furigay (left) and other top Lamitan government officials in the ribbon cutting and blessing ceremonies of the new building located in Barangay Fayugan.

Salapuddin allocated P16 million from Country Development Funds (CDF) and P4 million counterpart of Lamitan City government for the construction of the new city hall building which was completed last month.

The beautiful edifice stands on a 2-hectare lot donated by Ret. Court Justice Regino Hermosisima Jr. Its construction started late last year following the ratification of the law converting Lamitan into a city.

Mayor Furigay, in his welcome remarks, said that with all humility, the new city hall is a milestone in the history governance, not only in their locality but in the entire province of Basilan.

“We showed our enduring commitment to finish this city hall for the people of Lamitan,” said Furigay.

The mayor also thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Congressman Salapuddin and Ret. Justice Hermosisima and the late Lamitan mayor Inocente Ramos for the completion of the new city hall.

In his inspirational message, Salapuddin said the inauguration and blessing of the new city hall is a symbol of the coming aid of the town from being a mere municipality to a component city of Basilan.

“I firmly believe that this cityhood of Lamitan is a long dream come true. I may not be in government service temporarily but I’m sure deep in your hearts, you treasure the memory of leadership and my representation in Congress,” he said.

The former deputy speaker for Mindanao and Basilan lawmaker authored both the cityhood of Isabela and Lamitan during his three terms in the House of Representatives.

He said the tale of the two cities will go down in their history and will be remembered as the new beginning for a brighter Basilan.

“I have always believed that the two cities will be the primary engines of economic growth. It will be the sparkplug that will ignite the economic advancement of our people. It will also be the magnate for tourism and investments,” Salapuddin said.