Noy opens ‘DAP’ bridge in JPE country

TUAO, Cagayan , Philippines   – In this bailiwick of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, streamers and banners displayed yesterday called for imprisonment for plunderers – “Ikulong ang mandarambong!” – and praised the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The occasion was President Aquino’s inauguration of a 420-meter-long bridge partly funded by DAP and named after his father, the late senator Benigno “‘Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Before proceeding to Tuao, Aquino dropped by Piat town to celebrate the feast of Tuao East’s patron San Roque, after which he visited the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat. Parishioners believe that all prayers made in this church are answered.

Aquino is appealing the Supreme Court’s ruling against the DAP, although he has conceded that the odds are against a reversal of a unanimous decision.

Failing in the judicial route, he has indicated that he is open to amending the Constitution to curb the lack of judicial restraint and even to lift term limits.

Radio reports said only a handful of local officials welcomed the President and his party that included Enrile’s political nemesis, Secretary Manuel Mamba of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

But a large crowd including schoolchildren in uniform, waving Philippine and yellow flags, lined the P599.4-million bridge as the President’s convoy passed through.

Mamba served two terms as mayor of Tuao and represented the third district of Cagayan in Congress before being appointed to the Cabinet when Aquino became president in 2010.

The Ninoy Aquino bridge in Tuao’s Barangay San Luis spans the Chico River and is expected to enhance inter-regional development in the Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos region.

The bridge connects the eastern and western barangays of Tuao. With two smaller bridges and a concrete road network, the project spans about 22 kilometers and cuts travel time by four hours from the regional center in Tuguegarao to Kalinga, Apayao and the Ilocos.

“The project also provides additional access to tourist destinations and ensures the safer movement of goods and people, thus contributing to socio-economic growth,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

In a statement sent to Malacañang reporters, Lacierda said the Department of Public Works and Highways generated P33.7 million in savings for the bridge project “through a more efficient and transparent bidding process.”

Malacañang is pushing its congressional allies to pass a law redefining “savings” and allowing such funds to be impounded by the Palace every six months or even quarterly – a practice struck down by the SC ruling on the DAP.

Lacierda said the bridge was originally conceived in 1968, and its inauguration comes in time for the anniversary of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on Thursday.

In a speech in this town, Aquino said he did not want to hand over to the next administration projects planned a long time ago but not implemented.

He had earlier said the DAP was conceived to move such projects beyond the drawing board and accelerate the implementation of slow-moving projects. – With Raymund Catindig