ALABEL, Sarangani, Philippines (PIA) – Vice President Jejomar Binay ceremonially turned over a check worth P500,000 each to Glan, Maitum, Malapatan, and Maasim over the weekend to fund the construction of a senior citizens center in each of the said municipalities.

Binay graced the second day celebration of the 9th MunaTo Festival and 19th Founding Anniversary of the province of Sarangani.

“Karamihan sa mga matatanda ay napapabayaan at nagmistulang walang silbi sa ating lipunan,” Binay lamented.

He also pointed out the reality where the elderly are left with no choice but to beg for alms to support their medication needs, while others were totally abandoned by their own families.

“Kaya naman isa sa aming mga proyekto sa Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo ay pagpapatayo at pagpapakumpuni ng lahat ng mga senior citizens centers sa buong bansa,” Binay said.

“Ginagawa po namin ito upang isulong at itaguyod ang importansya ng nakakatanda sa pagtataguyod ng ating bansa,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Binay noted the distress that the general populace of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the country experience particularly in Sarangani where he disclosed his desire to provide assistance through housing program.

“Hangarin ko rin na lahat ng mga indigenous peoples o ating mga katutubo sa bansa ay ating matulungan kasama na po ang T’boli, Manobo, Kalagan, at Muslim dito sa lalawigan ng Sarangani. Tutulungan po natin sila,” Binay said.

“Hangarin natin na matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan lalung-lalo na sa pabahay. Kaya naman po inilunsad natin ang indigenous peoples’ housing program na pakikinabangan ng katutubong Pilipino, kasama sila sa mga naghihirap nating kababayan,” he also said.

“Kaya po kami ay gumawa ng paraan para itong katutubong kababayan natin ay magkaroon ng kanilang sariling pamamahay,” Binay added.

Sarangani is a home to diverse tribes with distinct culture they succeeded to preserve, and are living in co-existence with one another peacefully.

Meanwhile, the Munato Festival 2011 celebration opened Thursday with a fun-run and a series of environmental protection and rehabilitation activities.

The 5.4-kilometer run started in front of the Provincial Capitol compound and finished at Purok Fabricante in Barangay Maribulan where each finisher was enjoined to plant a mangrove seedling and release bangus (milkfish) fries in Sarangani Bay.

“Around 700 runners participated in the fun-run, though only 611 officially registered,” said Aiza Platinos of the Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center (STIPC).

While the “Run Against Global Warming” was organized by the Alcantara Foundation and the Sarangani provincial government through the STIPC.

As this developed, Schools Division Superintendent Allan Farnazo thanked the teachers who participated in the event.

“Personally, I would like to thank everyone from DepEd who responded to our invitation to join the fun run especially the aging and old for you have defied your age,” Farnazo joked.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office personnel headed by Bong Tuballes also joined the event.