Allies thank Arroyo for rehab projects in W. Visayas

ASA MAY KALSADA MGA. PUROS PUTOL
99% LIGHTS
SA MGA
BARANGAY!!!!!! NGIT2X KAAYO AMO BARANGAY
ATIK!
PA CUTE!!!

Allies thank Arroyo for rehab projects in W.
Visayas

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 06:36:00 06/29/2010

Filed Under: Infrastructure,
Government


CABATUAN, ILOILO—ALLIES OF President Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday gave
her an emotional farewell in her last visit to Western Visayas as chief
executive and thanked her for pouring in projects in the region during
her nine years in office.
House Majority Leader and incoming Gov. Arthur Defensor choked on his
tears as he expressed gratitude to the President for ensuring the
release of funds for the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by
Typhoon “Frank” in 2008.

“Iloilo would not have been this way
had it not been for you. This is the best way for you to say goodbye to
the people of Iloilo,” Defensor said in a speech during the inauguration
of the Tigum Bridge, which links Iloilo City to the western towns of
the province and to Capiz.

Ms Arroyo released around P1.78
billion for the repair and replacement of infrastructure in Western
Visayas, including P500 million early this month for the repair of
bridges and dredging of rivers. Some P4 billion in rehabilitation funds
approved by Congress for the region has yet to be released.


Defensor said the new P160-million Tigum Bridge would not have been
finished this year if not for the President’s intervention. It replaced
the one destroyed by rampaging floodwaters on June 21, 2008.


“Two days before (your term ends), you showed how you cared for the
province of Iloilo. For all the many things that you gave for the people
of Iloilo, we will always treasure it and it will be deeply embedded in
our hearts,” he told Ms Arroyo.

The President said the
allocation of alternative funds before the rehabilitation funds were
approved enabled the swift recovery of most of Iloilo.

“Iloilo
looks as if no devastation ever struck it. It does not look like the
armageddon that it looked (during the typhoon),” she said.

Ms
Arroyo also thanked the Ilonggos for giving her a landslide victory in
the province during the 2004 presidential election.

She
proceeded to Bohol for the inauguration of the P500-million Ubay Port
project. The port links Bohol to other provinces and regions.


The President was also scheduled to go to Cebu for the inauguration of
the Talisay City Port and for the oath-taking of newly elected
provincial officials.

She was expected to lead in the
inauguration of the President Diosdado Macapagal Park and Boardwalk in
Danao City in Cebu.