ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III flew to Tawi-Tawi on Saturday to inspect major infrastructure projects of the administration, including the bridge which connects the mainland and major island town.
Aquino inspected the P500-million bridge connecting mainland Panglima Sugala to Bongao.
The bridge aims to hasten the transport of agricultural and marine products to the markets in other towns.
Once completed, the project will also facilitate easier access to basic government services.
Aquino was welcomed by the local government units headed by Tawi-Tawi Governor Nurbert Sahali, Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali, including government employees and students at the Sandbar Lepa Convention Center in Bongao.
The local officials thanked the president for the visit and infrastructure projects in the region.
“We thank President Aquino for coming to Tawi-Tawi despite we are the smallest and the farthest province in the country,” Gov. Sahali said.
Cong. Sahali assured they will continue to hasten the development treading Aquino’s straight path or daang matuwid.
President Aquino credited the leadership of Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for helping improve the quality of government services in Tawi-Tawi and other provinces in the region.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson meanwhile reported that about 115-kilometer road in Tawi-Tawi will be finished by 2016.
The program was part of the road network projects implemented by Gov. Hataman through ARMM Public Works Secretary Don Mustapha Loong.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said the runway of Sanga-sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi will be extended to 2.1 kilometers and 45 meters wide.
Abaya said they also plan to put up flights from Tawi-Tawi to Cebu to boast economic activity.
President Aquino also promised to energize 100 percent of the province before he steps down from presidency.
Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada explained that the power supply problem in the province was the result of bidding failure in fuel supply.
“Nangako si PresidentAquino ng 100 percent energized na ang mga sitios sa Tawi-Tawi bago magtapos ang kanyang termino,” Monsada said.
She said the power supply situation in the island province reached 80 percent.