REMAI ALEJADO
ZamboSur Press Bureau
Online news contributor
Zamboanga del Sur’s fondness with Kristie Anne Kenney, US ambassador to the Philippines, is taken a step further with her conferment as “Bae Gumpianan,” which means “Princess of Goodwill.”
Kenney’s conferment was performed by Subanen Timuay and Balian Simeon Codium during the ambassador’s recent visit in the province to attend the 1st ZamboSur CRM summit.
Kenney, dressed in Subanen clothes, was the keynote speaker for CRM Summit held May 29 at Hotel Alindahaw.
Governor Aurora Cerilles and husband, Rep. Antonio Cerilles joined th
e lady ambassador as Codium performed the conferment ritual called “Daga.”With the couple is Jon Lindborg, United States Agency on International Development (USAID) mission director, DENR Usec. for Special Concerns Teresita Castillo, Ernesto Guiang of EcoGov, Vice Governor Roseller Ariosa, Vice Mayor Romeo Pulmones, LMP President Ace William Cerilles, provincial and town officials and agency heads.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) provincial head Henrico Gumibao said Kenney’s conferment is the province’s way thanking her, for and in behalf of USAID’s support.
USAID has extended financial and technical support to various projects in ZamboSur, which includes infrastructures, educational materials and facilities, mangrove reforestations, solid waste management, energization and health reforms.
Kenney, in her response, affirmed that USAID will “continue to support the province” and thanked probinsiyanos for the honor.
Kenney likewise stated that her presence in the province is also to visit Brgy. Langilan, San Miguel, where the Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) is being implemented—a USAID supported project.
Accompanying Kenney in her visit there is Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes.
After the affair, Kenney led a book distribution under USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program-Education Awareness Support Effort (EASE) at the Zamboanga del Sur National High School (ZSNHS).
ZSNHS is also a recipient of computers already connected to the internet, books, LCD multi-media and overhead projectors.
ZSNHS Principal Roberto Bibanco says the school received the biggest matching grant of P1-million through PTCA’s fundraising.
The US Ambassador also distributed a total of 7,500 reference books to 15 elementary and secondary schools in Lanao del Sur, in partnership with Children International Foundation of he United States.