As he campaigns for local lp bets: Noy: Multibillion projects for Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III promised to pour multi-billion infrastructure projects into Cebu as he led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P3.7 billion Mactan Island Circumferential Road yesterday.

Aquino, who apologized for arriving one hour and a half late for the event, said the project would reduce travel time by at least 15 minutes from Cebu City to Mactan Island.

With a length of 26.334 kilometers, the road starts from Barangay Pajo and ends in Barangay Poblacion, traversing the municipality of Cordova.

Aquino said the project is expected to be finished by 2016 although there is a problem on the road right of way.

“May konting problema sa road right of way. Pakiusap sa tatamaan na intindihin ang kapakanan sa nakakarami at pakiusapan sila para mapabilis ang proseso sa dagdag asenso para sa inyo sa Mactan at sa Cebu province,” he said.

The president believed that with the help of the Cebuanos, the project will bear good results.

“Sa pakikipag tulungan nang mga Cebuano, kumpyansa tayo sa magandang kahihinatnan sa mga sinimulan nating mga proyekto na patuloy na pagdami natin sa kabalikat ng tuwid na daan, gumagaan ang anumang pagsubok at bumibilis ang ating pag usad sa kaunlaranan,” he said.

“Walay duda ang atong panaghiusang pagsulong sa usa ka direksiyon sa pagsilbi nato sa matag usa, mas taas nga mga pangandoy ang atong makab-ot sa umaabot nga panahon,” the president said in Cebuano.

Various projects

In a press conference, Aquino divulged “samples” of infrastructure projects intended for Cebu.

He said his administration is now in the experimental stage on the bus rapid transit system in Cebu.

He said if the BRT system is implemented in Cebu, it has to be operational immediately.

If it pushes through, Aquino said the BRT will cost around P9 billion.

He also revealed that the construction of P1.3 billion New Naga Power Substation is now ongoing.

Aquino added that a total of P166 million is also earmarked for Cebu Port Authority Management Information System.

There is also a feasibility study for the Cebu City-San Remegio road improvement which cost P1.4 billion.

The road, which has a total length of 109.45 kilometers, would serve the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Danao and Bogo, and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, Borbon, Tabogon and San Remegio.

There is also a feasibility study being conducted for a third link between Cebu mainland and Mactan Island and that the DPWH is looking for funding source.

The “Cebu-Bohol Multi-Access Friendship Bridge” project that would link the two Visayan provinces is also under feasibility study as well as the proposed bridge linking Cebu and Negros Oriental.

Aquino also said the P702 million Carmen Water Project that will supply additional 35,000 cubic meters per day to Metro Cebu now ongoing.

He said there is also a comprehensive study on Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage Masterplan amounting to P130 million.

A feasibility study on Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Masterplan is also underway, he said.  For the conditional cash transfer, a total of P804,177,000 was disbursed for Cebu, benefitting a total of 117,340 households as of February 2013.

More development projects

There will be more projects for Cebu if the local leaders would work together with the national government.

This was what Aquino said as he endorsed the Liberal Party tandem of Hilario Davide III and acting governor Agnes Magpale during a meeting with local leaders and the community in Bogo City yesterday.

Aquino is aware of the financial problem the Capitol is facing under the management of Magpale.

He assured that if Davide and Magpale are given the full mandate to lead the provincial government, the present Capitol problems would be lessen.

“At kung hindi nila kaya sa harapan mo, pipilitin kong kayanin ko yung di nila kaya pag sila po ang ating katuwang doon sa Kapitolyo,” Aquino said.

Aquino recognized that Cebu is among the most progressive provinces in the country.

“Kamo ang nibuhat aning pag-uswag sa peace and order sa Cebu,” he said.

Aquino also announced the implementation of 18 irrigation projects in Argao, San Fernando, Balamban, Consolacion, Sibonga, Moalboal, Dalaguete, Barili, Pinamungajan, Tuburan, Toledo City and Carcar City.

Aquino also said that some politicians have claimed to be allies of LP, apparently referring to the One Cebu Party and National Unity Party of the Garcias.

“Mayron po bang LP na kapit tuko sa kapangyarihan, wala po. Mayron po bang LP na gagawin ang lahat na manatili sa pwesto habang sa hinabahaba ng panahon ay binaliwala naman ang Cebuano, wala rin po. Mayron po bang LP na dinadaan sa songs and dance number ang pamumuno habang ibinabaon naman sa utang ang Kapitolyo, maseseguro ko po sa inyo, wala rin pong LP na ganun,” Aquino said.

Toledo sortie

An estimated crowd of 9,000 people gathered yesterday at the Barba Sports Complex in Toledo City.

Starting past 1 p.m., the crowd listened to speeches of local party candidates as well as national candidates.

Aquino arrived past 2 p.m. from Bogo City with Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Petilla and LP Secretary General Mel Sarmiento.

During Aquino’s speech, he endorsed Davide for governor and Magpale for vice governor.

He also shared light moments with the crowd.

“Nagkadugay, nagkaduol akong ka-singkasing sa Cebu. Tingali dinhi nako makakita ug kapikas sa akong kinabuhi,” he told the crowd. — /LPM (FREEMAN)