BANGUINGUI, Philippines – The municipal government here has formed an association composed of local government officials, aimed at addressing the educational and health needs of the people of the municipality.

Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidulla said the association – Banguingui Development and Multi-Purpose Association, Inc. – was formed to address the needs of the local residents in the field of education system and health services.

Sahidulla said the association is targeting to address the shortage of teachers and health care personnel in the municipality by hiring additional teachers for the local pupils and students, and health personnel to address the health needs of the people here.

He said that jobless but eligible teachers may be hired by the association and provide them with monthly stipends for their services as mentors in this town.

A similar scheme will also apply to midwives and nurses who wanted to serve the people here regarding their medical and health needs.

The mayor said the stipends of teachers and health care personnel will be drawn from the funds of the association.

According to Sahidulla, the municipal government will be contributing some P50,000 monthly in addition to the contribution that the association will be collecting from the 14 villages that could reach to about P100,000 monthly.

Local residents has earlier complained of neglect from the provincial and regional government regarding their health and educational needs, a reason for the municipal government to form the association to address the needs of the people on this town.

The mayor said the association will also address the rehabilitation of health centers and school buildings – including the acquisition of health equipment, and education materials for the people here.

“Our people had been longing for these services – education and health – and that is why my government has to address them by establishing an association to address the problem,” he said.

“I hope the provincial government and the regional government led by acting Governor Ansaruddin Adiong could also extend us their helping hands to alleviate the living condition of the people here,” he added.