Obviously convinced of the objectives for which CRANE was revived early last year and impressed by the big attendance during the induction ceremonies and Christmas party on December 30, 2005 at the Naga Central School II Pavilion, Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte (2nd District, Camarines Sur) unveiled a surprise package of assistance for the organization.
Taking a cue from the preceding message of CRANE president Dominador Alarkon, Jr. who cited CRANE priorities for 2006, Congressman Villafuerte announced in his message at the induction rites that he was
allocating:
- P100,000 for hospitalization assistance for CRANE members and their dependents at the Bicol Medical Center;
- P100,000 for the CRANE scholarship program; and
- P300,000 for the CRANE livelihood program for micro-financing for members.
He said he was also donating a Yamaha organ for the CRANE choir which was received in January, 2006 as pledged.
He had also pledged to work for at least P10 million as initial funding for the Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road but this was actually far exceeded when he succeeded in securing a total of P29.5 million. The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the fund is now with the DPWH Regional Offi ce including the P50 million Governor L-Ray Villafuerte secured from the aggregate P250 million President Arroyo allocated for the road network program in Caramoan proposed by the governor.
The hospitalization and scholarship assistance may now be availed by CRANE members or their dependents.
Congressman Villafuerte also proposed that the Balik Caramoan Program be vigorously pursued and that a counterpart group be organized in the United States which shall coordinate with CRANE to facilitate the group homecoming being planned for 2007.
Inducted into office during the December 30 affair were the regular CRANE officers elected during an election at the general assembly at the Bicol College of Arts and Trades (BCAT) on December 3, 2005. The election was held with three Caramoanon lawyers acting as Election Committee members namely, Atty. Fiel Lara Rosales, Atty. Franco Berja Avila and Atty. Salvador Recto Villegas, Jr.
Aside from organization president Alarkon, the executive officers include Dr. Rhodora Roa-Perez, executive vice president; Emma Borebor Boncacas, vice president for internal affairs; Romeo M. Borja, vice president for external affairs; Gracita Teoxon Alarkon, secretary; Rexy Alavarez and Nora Palaya Bañadera, assistant secretaries; Lilia Tam Ajero, treasurer; Wilma Recto Villegas, assistant treasurer; Juanita Clement Alarcon, auditor; Gertrudis Teoxon Galan, assistant auditor; Salvacion Cordis-Osga, Nuni Borja-Capucao, Laurette Legarda Ramirez, Nora Rodriguez and Danny Sta. Isabel, business managers; Orbel Cepeda and Lalaine Arcilla-Gavino, business managers.
The Board of Directors is composed of Atty. Florencio Rosales, chairman; Wilbur Armea, vice chairman; Bonifacio Borebor, Jr., secretary; Atty. Renato Enciso, Dr. Nilo Reazon, Alice Señar-Alarkon, Nimfa Medel Bichara, Sofronio Altez, Engr. Pedro Cordis, Engr. Vicente Abundabar, Raul Ruiz, Melanio Alarcon, Engr. Claro Recto and Ricardo Culvera, members.
