DPWH slams PNoy critics: Cebu getting its infra share

CEBU, Philippines- In response to cri-tics claiming the Aquino administration has neglected Cebu, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the present administration has poured in almost P23 billion in infrastructure projects to Cebu since 2010.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson made the statement yesterday before President Benigno Aquino III, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and other officials during the president’s visit.

Aquino and Davide, who are allies in the Liberal Party, also said it is wrong to say the present administration has no projects for Cebu.

“Duna’y mga igsuon nato nga nagsige la’g panaway nga wala mahimuot sa gibuhat sa atong presidente dinhi sa lalawigan, moingon sila nga wala’y nahatag ang national government dinhi sa Cebu, moingon sila nga gipasagdan sa president ang Sugbo, apan kita nga nahibalo, nasayod kita nga dili g’yud kana tinuod,” said Davide in his welcome remarks before Singson’s briefing.

The briefing was held at the Regional Equipment Services Motorpool of the DPWH-7 after Aquino inspected two major infrastructure projects of 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.

Davide, who thanked Aquino for the projects, said the briefing will dispel all criticisms against the president.

“We know deep in our hearts that you love Cebu. You poured in billions of pesos in infrastructure projects for Cebu’s development,” Davide added.

Since 2010 when Aquino was elected president, Singson reported that Central Visayas has received P43 billion worth of infrastructure projects and P22.848 billion are in Cebu.

“Kaya ho kahit ano’ng sasabihin ng iba na napag-iwanan ang Cebu, wala na po seguro tayo’ng masasabi, mahigit kalahati po ng regional budget ng DPWH ay napunta sa Cebu,” Singson said.

In 2010, Singson said Cebu got P2.1 billion, P7 billion for this year, and P9 billion under the proposed 2016 national budget.

Out of the almost P23 billion, Singson said bulk of these were spent to improve the quality and safety of 950 kilometers of national roads and bridges for the whole province.

These include the reconstruction, widening and improvements of drainage system of the 1.9-kilometer Ouano Avenue in Mandaue City, the 2.5-kilometer Sergio Osmeña Avenue and the Cebu North Hagnaya Wharf Road.

“Makakaasa po kayo na pagagandahin po natin yung kalidad ng kalye magmula sa Cebu City papunta’ng norte all the way to Bogo City,” Singson said.

Singson asked Cebu lawmakers Raul del Mar, Rodrigo Abellanosa and Benhur Salimbangon, who were present at the briefing, to pass the proposed 2016 national budget.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang aming widening at saka drainage improvements sa lahat ng national primary roads dito sa Cebu,” he said.

The DPWH is also getting billions in funds for infrastructure projects from other agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Tourism.

Singson said the DOT-DPWH convergence program is also important in Cebu where 140 kilometers of roads leading to various tourist destinations were identified with a total budget of P3.1 billion to be completed in 2016.

“Makakaasa po ang nga Cebuano na itutuloy po natin ang paglaan ng pondo para sa inprastrak-tura sa 2016 na alam nating kailangang kailangan po natin dito sa Cebu,” Singson added.

After Singson finished his briefing, Aquino said he wants to see these projects completed when he visits Cebu next year as a tourist.

“Eto po ba ang tinatawag nila’ng itinaboy at hindi tinutukan ang Cebu?” Aquino asked.

Aquino also said that even if he buys new eyeglasses for his critics to see the data presented by DPWH, nothing can still be seen by those who choose to be blind.

“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,” Aquino added. —/BRP (FREEMAN)