PNOY denies Cebu neglect, inspects major infra projects
CEBU CITY – President Benigno Aquino III denied criticism that his administration has not poured infrastructure projects in Cebu, in fact, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the province received 23 billion in projects since 2010.
“Eto po ba ang tinatawag nilang itinaboy at hindi tinutukan ang Cebu (is this what they’re saying that Cebu was neglected)?” Aquino asked, apparently in reference to oppositions’ claims that his administrations did not give any attention to Cebu, during a briefing here with local media Monday.
In the briefing, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said the administration poured almost 23 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Cebu since the President started his term in 2010.
The briefing was held at DPWHRegion VII’s Regional Equipment Services Motorpool after Aquino inspected two major infrastructure projects initiated here by the administration - the rehabilitated Sergio Osmeña Avenue in Cebu City and the widening of the 28.18-kilometer Mactan Circumferential Road in Lapu-Lapu City.
Since 2010 when Aquino was elected president, Singson informed media that the Central Visayas region received P43 billion worth of infrastructure projects and projects worth a total of 22.848 billion were implemented in Cebu.
In 2010, Singson said, Cebu got 2.1 billion; it is allotted a total of 7 billion this year, and 9 billion under the proposed 2016 national budget.
Apparently referring to administration critic, Vice-President Jejomar Binay’s statements before Cebuano audiences that the Aquino administration has not given any attention to Cebu, the President said, “ang problema lang po yu’ng tao’ng nagbubulag-bulagan maski gaano ka gandang salamin ang ibigay natin wala pa ring makikita. Kung siya ho ay gusto niya’ng manirahan sa sarili niya’ng mundong siya ang lumikha ay problema na po niya ‘yon (the problem is that there are those who insist in closing their eyes to the truth, thus, no matter how good his glasses are, they cannot see anything. If they want to live in a fabricated world of their own making, that’s their problem),” Aquino told reporters.
The 28.18-kilometer Mactan Circumferential Road which the President first inspected here is aimed at providing easy access from Mactan International Airport to various tourist destinations and noted resorts and hotels on Mactan Island. Expected to be finished in 2016, the project will cut the one hour and a half travel time between Cebu City and Mactan by 30 minutes, benefitting over 21,000 travelers daily.
One other infrastructure project mentioned by Aquino is the ongoing rehabilitation of the 16.33-km. Medellin-Daanbantayan Road, which will provide easy access to vacationers and foreign tourists, reducing the three-hour travel time from the northernmost town of Daanbantayan to Cebu City by half an hour.
The President also said he was planning to visit some famous destinations in Cebu, particularly Oslob which has become famous for whale shark (or butanding, as locals call them) watching. ,
He lauded the DPWH secretary for his efficiency, giving him the moniker “Man of Steel and Concrete.”
Hailing Singson, the President said, “Good job, pero huwag ka sanang maging kampante. Marami pa tayong tatapusing proyekto sa kalakhang bansa sa huling bahagi ng ating termino. Kailangan pa rin natin ang siyentoporsiyentong lakas at dedikasyon para magtuloy-tuloy ang arangkada natin sa Daang Matuwid (don’t sit back as yet because we still have to finish many projects nationwide during the last part of our term. We still need 100 percent strength and dedication to continue Daang Matuwid at full throttle).”