The Central Philippines Super Region will carry the badge as the center for tourism in the country, this according to Presidential Management Staff chief Secretary Cerge Remonde during the 4th National Infrastructure Forum held yesterday.
“Endowed with unique natural wonders such as the long white beaches, rich coastal and marine resources, vast forest reserves and diverse ecosystems, varied provincial cultures and historical landmarks and warm and friendly people, President Arroyo envisions the Central Philippines to be the country’s premier tourist destination,” Remonde said.
The forum was created to broaden participation of the private sector and the business community in the government’s infrastructure program.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who delivered the welcome message, said that the national government should not be the one to decide which infrastructure will be put where.
“Expenses are spent, decisions are made by people who have not even gotten one vote in the election,” the feisty mayor said.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the forum is a step toward the creation of “super regions” in the real sense: not merely in geographic size, but also in economic might.
Meanwhile, the Central Philippines Super Region has completed ten projects while 16 more are due for completion this year out of the 52 priority infrastructure projects of President Gloria Arroyo.
The Super Region —composed of Bicol, the entire Visayas as well as the provinces of Palawan, Romblon and the islands of Camiguin and Siargao— is one of the five super regions that Arroyo unveiled in her 2006 State of the Nation Address.
There are a total of 149 priority projects, 52 of which are in the Central Philippines Super Region.
Priority infrastructure projects in Central Philippines include roads, railways, airports, seaports, power plants, upgrading of hospitals, farm-to-market roads, small irrigation and cold storages. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP