PNoy inaugurates P374.6M diversion road in Leyte

BAYBAY CITY, Philippines  — President Benigno Aquino III was in this city yesterday afternoon, and inaugurated the newly completed P374.63-million diversion road, designed to decongest traffic within the city, which is also home to Leyte's industrial zone.

Aquino was accompanied by Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento and Housing Chairman Chito Cruz.

The president and his party, during the unveiling of the marker and inaugural drive of the five-kilometer road, were joined by Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla, Representative Jose Carlos Cari of the 5th district of Leyte, City Mayor Carmen Cari and Vice Mayor Michael Cari.

The construction of the diversion road, including a 151-meter Pagbangan Bridge, was started in 2013.

Mayor Cari told reporters the bridge had to be redesigned and widened, causing a slight delay in its construction, after super typhoon Yolanda caused the collapse of the riverbanks.

The mayor added that, to hasten the project's implementation, the city government provided a P50-million counterpart from LGU funds for right of way acquisition. "We paid the landowners for their land, crops and value of the potential harvest of the ricelands to ensure the smooth start of the project," she told The Freeman.

Baybay is home to two coconut oil mills and an abaca pulp processing plant. The mayor said the industries are now happy with the new road as it cuts travel time and diverts their trucks from passing through the city's "antique and narrow" streets.

Mayor Cari was also candid in saying that, due to Aquino's generosity to the city and the 5th district, they will reciprocate it by delivering votes for the president's anointed ones, presidential bet Mar Roxas and vice presidential bet Leni Robredo.

She said her camp would concentrate in the campaign on the Mar-Leni tandem, because she was confident that her opponent would not get more votes now than during the latter's defeat in the last elections.

After the unveiling of the marker and ceremonial drive-thru at the new diversion road, Aquino proceeded to the city gym to meet an estimated 3,000 leaders, including mayors, from all over the district.

The president told the crowd he was in Baybay to fulfill a promise to come back when his term is over. He said he would rather be the one thanking the people than them thanking him. "Salamat at pinagbigyan niyo ako nang pagkakataon na pagsilbihan kayo," he said.

He also made a pitch for Mar and Leni as the only tandem which could continue his Daang Matuwid philosophy of governance. "Mahirap kun doon kayo sa mag left turn, right turn o mas malala, kun mag U-turn. Balik na naman tayo saan tayo nagsimula," he said.

Aquino left Baybay at around 3:20 p.m. and flew to Calbayog City in Samar to join Mar and Leni's daughter Aika in their campaign.  (FREEMAN)