CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon is eyeing the town of Tabogon to establish a container port.
In his recent visit to Tabogon, Salimbangon expressed that it has been his long time plan to have the facility but it was not materialized because of the indifference shown by Mayor Eusebio Dungog.
Dungog, who can no longer seek reelection, is an ally of the Martinezes in Bogo City who are political opponents of the Salimbangons of Medellin.
Salimbangon is hoping that the project will be materialized if One Cebu candidates led by gubernatorial candidate, third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia and the entire slate will win in the May 13 elections.
“Hopefully, if modaog ang atong kandidato either ni Lemar Alcover ug (Zigfred) Dodong Duterte ato nang masangpit alang sa kalambuan sa Tabogon,†Salimbangon said. (If our candidates win we can tap them for this development.)
Alcover and Duterte are allies of One Cebu running for mayor against Roland Quinain of the Liberal Party.
Salimbangon said that the existing port in Tabogon is suitable for improvement and for having enough depth to make it a container port.
Fourth district Provincial Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. expressed support to the plan of Salimbangon.
Mondigo is hoping that local officials of Tabogon will unite with the higher officials in order to implement projects that are needed for the people.
Mondigo cited that the Provincial Government under the leadership of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was supposed to have a water system project in the past but was never implemented because the mayor reportedly did no cooperate.
Salimbangon together with Pablo John and runningmate, Ramon “Boboy†Durano IV, Mondigo and PB Member Sun Shimura recently visited Tabogon.
Garcia thanked the around 300 barangay and household leaders who met them.
“Importante kaayo ang Tabogon kay this is one of the towns sa fourth district nga ang mayor dili atoa tua sa pikas, plus the fact maka-deliver sad gyud ning Tabogon,†Garcia said. (Tabogon is a very important town in the fourth district because it’s one of those whose mayors are not supporting us, and this town can deliver.)
In a talk with a barangay captain, Rep. Garcia was informed that it was only during the term of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia when their road was asphalted.
“Misulti lagi sila mga leaders nato diri nga sige lang Congressman, kay nakahibalo ang mga tawo ana ug kahibalo sila kinsa ang ilang pasalamatan,†Pablo John said. (Our leaders here tell me not to worry because the people know who to thank for the developments.)
Ilihan barangay captian Pablito Echevari thanked Pablo John for his visit in town.
“Ang among barangay daghan kaayo to mga proyekto nga gihatag ni Gov. Gwen sa una kay siya may among pangayuanan pirme. Unya among ihatag ang among suporta ron sa iyang igsuon ug sa iyang bise,†Echevari said. (Our barangay received several projects under Gwen because we had asked her for these. Now, we will give her brother our support.)
Salimbangon belittled the claim of the Martinezes that Tabogon is their bailiwick, citing his big margin in the last 2010 election against former Bogo City mayor Celestino “Tining†Martinez III. — (FREEMAN)