Aquino opens Misamis Oriental road link, CDO flyover project
OPOL, Misamis Oriental: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday inaugurated an Australian-funded 9.1 kilometer road linking the coastal town of Opol, about 10 kilometers northwest of Cagayan de Oro, to several hinterland barangays of this province.
The newly-rehabilitated 2-lane Opol-Basak-Tingalan road cost P60.772 million, 12 percent of which was provided by the Misamis Oriental provincial government. It is the first phase of a provincial road management facility project supported by the Australian government.
“Ito ay malaking tulong sa komunidad,” Aquino said during a brief program at the grounds of the Patag Elementary School where he was briefed by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno about the project. Also in attendance were Australian ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith and other local officials.
The second phase of the project, which will cost about P83.04 million, involving the rehabilitation of another 13 kilometers of the provincial road is expected to begin in June.
Since its completion last month, the Opol-Tingalan road has reduced travel time from 35 to 15 minutes and cut transportation costs by about P100 pesos, according to officials here. It has also given residents better access to health and other services.
Patrick Gabutina, provincial administrator of Misamis Oriental, also said that farmers are expected to increase their incomes because of lower transport costs and the easier means to get their produce to the market.
Opol is one of the largest agricultural areas in the province and the new-ly refurbished road link is expected to benefit 1,500 farming families. The provincial government also plans to put up an agricultural trading center in the village of Balocloc, which is serviced by the road link, to spur agricultural production in the area.
The formal opening of the road link was the first activity of the President upon his arrival here.
Aquino proceeded to the groundbreaking rites for the first flyover along Sayre highway in Cagayan de Oro, which is aimed at decongesting traffic along the busy Iligan-Cagayan-Butuan crossing.
The P382.9-million project is expected to lessen travel time by 30 minutes and projected to be finished in August this year. It is a joint project of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the city government of Cagayan de Oro.
During his day-long visit to Cagayan de Oro, his first since becoming president, President Aquino will also meet with businessmen, local government officials, civil society groups, and cap his trip with the awarding of certificates of land ownership, Philhealth cards, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program cash cards. (PCOO)
Aquino inaugurates Misamis Oriental road project to further boost economic growth in the region
OPOL, Misamis Oriental: President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration of the AusAID-funded provincial road project here that will connect the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to further boost the growing economy of the province.
The President and his party was welcomed upon his arrival here on Wednesday by local government officials led by Governor Oscar Moreno and Australian Ambassador Rod Smith as he arrived at the Patag Elementary School, Barangay Patag, to formally inaugurate the P60 million-peso provincial road management facility project co-funded by the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and the Australian government.
The infrastructure project will rehabilitate the Opol-Basak-Tingalan Road Phase 1, Packages 1A, 1B and 1C.
The Chief Executive said he was impressed with the plan of the local government of Misamis Oriental expressing high hopes on the completion of the project under his term.
During the project briefing, Governor Moreno said that upon its completion, the infrastructure project will serve as an alternate route between Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City. It will also be connecting Cagayan de Oro to the provinces of Lanao as well as Bukidnon.
Australian Ambassador Smith, for his part, said that the project is one of the several provincial road maintenance projects to be supported by his government in efforts to facilitate economic growth in the province.
Later, the President proceeded to Barangay Puerto in Cagayan de Oro City to personally oversee the proposed Puerto-Sayre flyover. At the Puerto Elementary School, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson presented to the President the details of the proposed project that will start next month and is expected to be completed in August of this year.
The President underscored the advantageous effects of the project in strengthening the businesses in the area and called on the residents to be united and cooperate for the successful completion of the project that will benefit the entire region. (PCOO)
Aquino delivers social services to indigent beneficiaries of Misamis Oriental
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday led government agencies in the awarding and distribution of basic social services to various indigent beneficiaries of Misamis Oriental as part of administration efforts to provide quality health, education and livelihood opportunities.
The President awarded at the auditorium of Oro Christian Grace School in this city some checks for the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program, PhilHealth Cards, social pension for 14 indigent senior citizens of CDO, cash cards for 20 indigent beneficiaries under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, various checks amounting P8.1 million loans for Del Carmen Homeowners Association Inc., Purok 7, Barangay Del Carmen, Iligan City, and P578,522 for Dabatian Neighborhood Association Inc., Barangay Carmen, CDO City under the community mortgage program and slump upgrading program of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAS) or lot titles for the farmer beneficiaries of North Bukidnon, South Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
In a speech after the awarding and distribution, the President pointed out that the cash grants he gave to indigent families beneficiaries were intended to help them and not part of any political agenda.
“Hindi po ito pagpapapogi. Ganap na pagtulong po ang hatid natin. Higit sa pera, disiplina ang kalakip nito sa bawat pamilya. Para sa magulang: disiplina sa paghahawak ng pera at pag-aaruga sa mga anak. Sa mga anak naman: dedikasyon sa pag-aaral nang mabuti sa eskwela. Pinatatatag po nito ang kakayahan ng pamilyang mabuhay nang disente,” he said.
He assured them that his administration is working doubly hard to implement reform measures and ensure that social services will be delivered directly at the door steps of the poorest of the poor families.
During the program, the President witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the government of Italy for the implementation of Italian Assistance to the Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Program.
Under the program, the Philippines in coordination with the Italian government will provide infrastructure facilities to the rural communities, provide basic social services, development, help increase the agricultural produce of the farmers, and teach the people on how to protect the environment.
Cabinet officials who joined the President in his visit here were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Proceso Alcala of Agriculture, Jesse Robredo of the DILG, Enrique Ona of the DOH, Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the DSWD, Rogelio Singson of the DPWH, and Virgilio Delos Reyes of the DAR. (PCOO)
Aquino vows to address issues hounding Mindanao region
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday conducted a dialogue with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) here to discuss several concerns affecting not only the province but also the country as well.
In his reply to the various issues of concern presented by the leaders of CSOs during the open dialogue at the Philippine Christian College (PCC) Auditorium, President Aquino signified his sincere commitment in addressing the problems raised anchored on the ideals of his accountable and transparent governance.
“Lahat po ng mga binanggit nyo babasahin ko pag-uwi ko at pipilitin ko na masagot isa-isa”, the President said.
The Chief Executive gave his views on several issues that may enlighten the people apart from the specific problems raised by the leaders of the CSOs.
On mining, the President said there should be close monitoring on its operation to ensure that no one will be disadvantaged including the environment.
He said that the government has already included the issue of land use in the proposed priority bills submitted to Congress.
On Reproductive Health, the President said that he maintains his position to consider responsible parenthood giving the heads of every Filipino the decision and ways in planning their own family. He also stressed his definite position against abortion.
On the fight against illegal drugs, the Chief Executive revealed the revamp in major anti-drug institutions of the government in efforts to dramatically increase the conviction rate in cases filed against unscrupulous drug syndicates.
The President also assured the people of Mindanao that he will look into the local concerns for immediate resolution.
The leaders of CSOs of Northern Mindanao expressed support to the leadership of President Aquino as a testament to active and critical engagement towards the country’s sustainable development.
They pointed out the three major areas with corresponding issues that are prevalent in the region. Also included are their own initiatives and collective recommendations for consideration for an immediate and effective response to such problems.
These include Mindanao’s agriculture and food security, environmental protection and their opposition to the proposed construction of a casino in the area.
Other areas of concern presented to the President are the peace process, wave of privatization on public utilities, intensified discussion on reproductive health bill, political reforms encouraging the issuance of an Executive Order on the creation of a study commission for the revision of the existing 1987 Philippine Constitution, the participation and representation of the marginalized sector which they defined crucial in democratic restoration, and anti-corruption efforts in the government where they expressed support to the move of the House of Representatives to invoke the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
The multi-sectoral groups present during the event are Change Politics Movement, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Balay Mindanaw Foundation,Inc., Gising Barangay Movement, Young Cagayanons for Democracy, Not For Sale/Archdiocese for Good Governance Apostolate, Akbayan, Balaud Mindanaw, Manindigan Pinoy, Central Student Government, Muslim Alliance for Noynoy Aquino, and the Ozamis & Labor Education and Research Network, among others. (PCOO)
Aquino’s Agrarian Reform agenda gets 27.5 million Euro boost
CAGAYAN DE ORO: President Benigno S. Aquino III today witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary Virgilio de los Reyes and Italian ambassador Luca Fornari covering the Italian Assistance to Agrarian Reform Community Development Support Project (IARCDSP).
The project, involving approximately P2.6 Billion in soft loans and grants – 26,190,016 euros from Italy, with 14,438,000 euros as the Philippines’ counterpart contribution – aims to increase and stabilize household incomes in selected agrarian reform communities (ARCs); and to enhance access to key services in selected ARCs and connected non-ARC communities.
The signing ceremony was held at the auditorium of the Oro Christian Grace School located within the city and was one of the highlights of the last leg of the president’s visit in this Region 10’s main business hub.
The event, witnessed by nearly 1,000 locals from different sectors whose some members became beneficiaries of various government poverty-alleviation projects, capped the president’s day-long activities here. On stage with the president, Sec. de los Reyes and Amb. Fornari were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Gov. Oscar Moreno, Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman, DOH assistant secretary Nemesio Gaco, and DILG secretary Jess Robredo who introduced the president for his speech.
Earlier in the morning, the president had inaugurated an Australian-funded 9.1 kilometer road linking the coastal town of Opol, about 10 kilometers northwest of Cagayan de Oro, to several hinterland barangays of this province, and then proceeded before lunch to address the Joint Philippine Economic Briefing and Regional Development Council meeting composed of representatives of the business sector and media at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel.
Before the MOA signing, the president had also gone to the nearby Pilgrim Christian College auditorium for a dialogue with civil society representatives, including a delegation from the youth sector.
Before the president’s speech, VP Binay, Sec. Soliman, Assec. Gaco and Sec. de los Reyes also addressed the audience to give the rationale and details on their respective projects which currently benefit thousands from the ranks of the indigents.
These included the Community Mortgage Program and Slum Updating Program; Sel-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens; Philhealth Cards; and Certificates of Land Ownership Awards.
President Aquino acknowledged Ambassador Fornari’s country’s help in this project, even asked the audience to cheer the ambassador, who gamely responded with loud applause. The signing and distribution of certificates and cards capped the President’s day-long trip to this city. (PCOO)
