GMA opens country's first tunnel roadway

Last Thursday afternoon, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) came to (I thought she was in Shanghai) Cebu perhaps on her last official visit as President to inaugurate the P1.625-billion 1.23 kilometer subway tunnel that would finally complete the South Road Project linking downtown Cebu City to the City of Talisay. This is Cebu’s first ever tunnel that goes under the old Plaza Independencia (close to the Fort San Pedro) and the Malacañang sa Sugbo to connect the South Road Properties (SRP) to the North Reclamation Area, through the Sen. Sergio Osmeña Jr. Ave.

In truth, this is actually the first such subway tunnel for the Philippines that was funded through a loan from the Japanese government. It was constructed by the Kajima Corp. Together with the President was Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura and incoming Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama as mayor-soon-to-be-congressman Tomas Osmeña is out of the country for a medical check-up. This tunnel links the southern part of Cebu to the northern part, bypassing the maze of roads and avenues within the City of Cebu, thus it really cuts travel time from Talisay City to Mandaue City on the way to the Mactan International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City.

There is no question that when it comes to infrastructure development, President Arroyo has done more for Cebu than all the previous presidents combined. This is also true to the rest of the Philippines. However, while she has officially opened the tunnel, however, due to last construction hitches, it will only be opened for light vehicles for six-hours a day, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The tunnel will be fully operational by August. But understandably GMA wanted it blessed now rather than having the new President inaugurate it, just like what happened to the Fernan Bridge, which was constructed during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos, but it was Erap who officially opened it. Unfortunately, while I was invited to the inaugural opening of the tunnel, I couldn’t attend the affair due to conflict in schedules due to the fact that the invitation came quite late and we already had prior commitments.

* * *

The new Aquino presidency hasn’t even started yet, but there seems to be a political “tug-o-war” between the United States and China, when the new US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. told China that its intentions in giving aid to the Philippines should be “transparent.” That statement brought a sharp rebuked from Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao who pointed out last Monday evening that China would continue to provide concessional loans to the Philippines, were we are the its largest recipient. He pointed out that Chinese assistance has always been sincere, efficient and helpful to the development of the country and the people’s livelihood.

While I agree with the new US Ambassador (who still has to make his first visit to Cebu) that foreign aid should be transparent, we would like to know from the US Ambassador whether the rumors are true that US aid to the Philippines is “quietly” tied to population control programs? We already heard and read more than enough info that foreign lobbyists are once again pushing for the return of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the Aquino administration, despite the strong opposition of the Catholic Church? I just hope to God that America would not use its foreign aid to kill the innocents.

*  * *

In response to our article last Wednesday about that International Drug Bust conducted by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) who allegedly acted on a tip from US Intelligence that resulted a raid on a safehouse in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Judith in Burdeos, Icolong Island, a raid that supposedly uncovered chemicals that are used in the manufacture of metamphetamine hydrochloride (the main ingredient for shabu) at the Akira Sakurai & Hiro Taniguchi, Howa, Inc. Pearl Farm got a lengthy response from a Mr. Augusto Obegon. Because his letter is quite long, we can only print some excerpts.

Mr. Obregon said that the PASG already issued a statement denying that there was a drug bust in Quezon. Consequently the same denial also came out in the May 12th article of Rudy Andal in Pilipino Star Ngayon issued by PASG OIC Danilo Mangila. This means that the Manila Bulletin report was mere black propaganda used by ugly politicians.

Actually I read this report in another newspaper, unfortunately, I forgot which of the newspapers it was printed… it was only when I got a clipping from the Manila Bulletin that this reminded me to write about the unfinished businesses that too often is forgotten in this country. Mr. Obregon also took pains to deny any link with that report to the late Gov. Rafael Nantes. We thank Mr. Obregon for writing us this clarification.

* * *

For email responses to this article, write to [email protected] or [email protected]. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.