Bai Zorahayda Taha, DSWD Region 12 director, said they forged a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 12 for the construction of their new facility.
She said they initially released P2 million from their savings to start the construction of the new facility, which will mainly serve as their new regional offices.
She said another P2 million will be allocated before the end of the year to speed up the phased construction of their office.
Taha said they are also planning to seek a funding assistance of P1 million from local government units and South Cotabato's Second Congressional District Office to complete the project.
The regional social welfare center would be located in Purok Bumana-ag in barangay Gen. Paulino Santos, Koronadal City.
DSWD-12 transferred to Koronadal City three years ago after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order 36 reiterated transfer of the regional center from its old seat in Cotabato City.
Taha said they pursued the construction of their regional office due to space constraints in their present offices at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center.
She said their rented offices do not have enough space for their employees and storage for their equipment.
"I'm hoping that with a new spacious building, the productivity of our personnel and our services to our clients will improve," Taha said.
Taha said the DPWH's Second Engineering District under District Engineer Arnulfo Flores agreed to construct their regional office.
The new DSWD regional office will be located in a 2,000 square-meter lot donated by the barangay council of Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos.
The new regional office will include four buildings, a storage house, guard house, sports and recreation area and a parking lot.
The project is expected to be completed in June 2007.
