Bansaleños Abroad Hail New Bansalan Development Plan

“We are very happy of the development plan of the newly-elected mayor of our municipality.” Such was the reaction of Leila (Lalay) Rispens-Noel, a former Bansalan resident who now lives in the Netherlands. She is the president of the Association of Bansalenos Worldwide (ABW).

Her elation came after getting the first hand information from Ana Marie Noel, a member of ABW Bansalan Chapter. In her email sent to ABW members, Noel said that among the programs the newly-elected Mayor Edwin Reyes has given priority is the pavement of the streets of Forget-me-not (old town market area), Ilang-Ilang, Poblacion Uno and Poblacion Dos from July to December this year. The widening of the road from Curvada to Kilometer 77 into four lanes is also in the pipe line.

But what really thrilled some members is the plan of the mayor to improve the Rizal Park since this is one of the projects which ABW has already in mind. Imee Mabandos-Schneider of Germany responded immediately by asking Serapion Metilla – one of the country's horticultural experts -- to lend his expertise in landscaping the park.

“How about we collate suggestions, ideas, and activities from all members of ABW on how to achieve any or all of his programs?” Imee asked in her e-mail. “We summarize by topic or program. This is one of the many ways we can support the accomplishment of the intended programs. Our work, professions and varied exposures to the different countries which we now live in can help us think of ways how to do things better."

“All suggestions from anyone will be welcomed. I will volunteer to do the collation and summary,” she added.

Bansalan-based Henrylito Tacio, a multi-awarded journalist and ABW public relations officer, said the public market is now cleaner and orderly. He reported that he has been invited as a member of Bansalan Tourism Council.

Tacio said that one of the major plans of the Mayor Reyes is to invite national artist Salinta Monon who earned the moniker “the last Bagobo Weaver” to give a demonstration on how to weave tinalak , made from the strips of abaca fibers.

He also said that the head of the Department of Industry and Local Government (DILG) has plans to promote and sell handmade products from Bansalan. Early this month, Bansalan products were displayed at SM Megamall in Davao City.

Edwin Bibera, another ABW member now based in Los Angeles in United States, volunteered to help promote the Bansalan products through the internet as soon as plans are materialized.

Bibera added that Randy Albores, the current president of the Bansalan chapter of ABW, informed him that he is now working with the mayor on the computer technology side. A municipal website will soon be created, which hopefully can be used as a communication link between the municipal officials and their constituents.

Through his Cheranz Computer, Albores has successfully installed the wireless internet connection of the Community E-Center in the town. The said project is a joint venture of the Commission on Information Technology (CICT) and the town local government unit. The Community E-Center is housed in the ABC Gym Complex.

Meanwhile, the three-year development plan of the municipality include: agri-Industrialization of infrastructure development, economic development program, agricultural development, social services program, peace and order and political stability, fiscal management and human resource development, responsive and participative governance, investment and marketing promotion, environmental protection program, and tourism development.

Bansaleños around the world have been helping the development of their hometown. For instance, through fund raising campaign and personal funds, Jean Metilla-Walters of Germany built a nursery school in barangay Banikanhon. The school is now giving lessons to about 50 pre-schoolers. The salaries of the teachers and maintenance of the school are shouldered by the Metilla Family.

For her part, Lalay Rispens-Noel lauded the efforts and plans of the newly-elected mayor. “This will give impetus to the members of ABW to contribute their time and talents for the improvement of our hometown.”, Lalay said.

Exploring the possibility on building a partnership between ABW and the local government is worth pursuing. One of these plans is the on-going Literacy Project of ABW. This year, ABW supports 81 poor but deserving pupils located in Bansalan Central Elementary School, Dolo Elementary School, Sibayan Elementary School, and Mabuhay Elementary School in connection with their “Give Back” campaign.

Last year, ABW embarked on re-painting the ABC Gym Complex in partnership with the municipal government unit. “There is still a lot Bansaleños can do to help our hometown as long as there is good leadership among the municipal officials and local government units,” Mrs. Rispens-Noel reiterated.

ABW plans to organize a Grand Reunion come December 27. “This will be an opportunity for the ABW to present our plans to Mayor Reyes and his staff,” Mrs. Rispens-Noel concluded.