Noy flies to Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino did not attend the Philippine National Prayer Breakfast Foundation gathering yesterday at Club Filipino, disappointing its organizers.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, who was supposed to be the event’s inspirational speaker, had to deliver the keynote speech because the President was in Bohol to check on the rehabilitation of earthquake-hit areas.

“We’re disappointed but we understand,” Valenzuela City Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo said over the phone. “We know there are other pressing concerns for him to attend to.”

Gunigundo, president of the foundation, said Malacañang’s appointments office earlier confirmed Aquino’s attendance as guest of honor but on Wednesday they received a letter expressing regrets that he could not attend.

Gunigundo said Aquino’s absence in yesterday’s event would not deter them from inviting him again next year.

No snub

Malacañang said Aquino did not snub the annual event.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said the President has been attending the event the past years but he failed to attend this time since he was preoccupied with the post-Yolanda and earthquake reconstruction program.

“Notice was given to organizers a week before the event on his inability to attend,” he added.

Bright Christmas

Meanwhile, the President assured Boholanos that they would have a bright Christmas because electricity and other basic services are being restored.

The President said “zero rotating brownouts” could be expected on Christmas Eve. “That is (Energy) Secretary (Jericho) Petilla’s Christmas gift to all of you,” he said.

He said shelter assistance would also be continuously provided to those who lost their homes. He said more than P65 million have been used as materials assistance program to affected residents in Maribojoc and Antequera towns.

The President said various infrastructure, including bridges, were also being repaired. He inspected the repaired Abatan Bridge linking Bohol northern towns to Tagbilaran and Tagbuane Bridge in the municipality of Alburquerque.

Aquino said the Department of Transportation and Communications reported to him that the earthquake had not affected the feasibility of the project to build an airport in Panglao island.

He said he would like Bohol not just to bounce back but become more progressive with the construction of the airport.

  – With Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica