DIPOLOG CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA)
- - “Stop corruption, enough with deception, let us change the crook system and
together let us march to the daang
matuwid,” declared President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III during his visit
to the city on Tuesday to inaugurate the Graduate and Professional Schools
(GPS) building of the Andres Bonifacio College (ABC), a non-sectarian private
school founded in 1940.
In introducing the
President, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said of PNoy as
the leader who made the country world-famous because of his sterling leadership
and crusade for good governance.
“Inauguration of
new buildings, opening of new companies and industries and the successive foreign
investments in our country symbolized not only the trust of Juan dela Cruz in
the agenda of reform but more than ever the astounding confidence of the world
to Filipinos,” the President said.
Support to Education
The President
assured the public that the government is in the process of building the
foundation of good and quality education in our country. He said the government
has increased the budget for basic education and allocation for state
universities and colleges. In fact, from the 66,800-classroom shortage, “we are
near to have enough classrooms, tables and chairs, teaches and books,”
disclosed the President.
“We also launched K
to 12 Basic Education Program in order to enhance the knowledge and competence
of our youth,” the chief executive added.
Electrification program
With the Sitio Electrification Program of the Department of
Energy (DOE) and National Electrification Administration (NEA), a number of
sitios were given electricity. Starting in October 2011 until December last
year, 6,900 sitios out of 36,000 sitios were already energized.
“Here in Zamboanga del Norte, we have extended electrification
program to 42 sitios in just 13 months,” the President said.
Peace Process
President Aquino cited the signing of the Framework Agreement
on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) as an action towards peace since “it
officially ended more than 40 years of armed conflict in Mindanao.”
“This
action is geared toward long-term peace and development in Mindanao,” Aquino
declared.
Tourism Industry
The
President has commended the performance of the city government of Dipolog
headed by Mayor Evelyn T. Uy for the unprecedented increase in tourist arrival
in the city with a record high of 129,700 tourists in 2011 from 64,780 tourists
in 2010.
“You
are so great Evelyn, maybe you will become secretary of tourism,” he jocularly
said.
To
further boost the tourism industry in the city, President Aquino disclosed that
the construction of Dipolog airport’s new terminal building will soon begin as
the bidding was already done. “By 2016, before the end of my term it is
expected that the new Dipolog City Airport will be completed,” he promised.
Other infrastructures
Aquino
also bared that aside from the Dipolog airport project, the Liloy-Siocon
Road was already completed in April 2012. The Zamboanga
del Sur-Zamboanga del Norte road as well as the Sibuco road
project is expected to be finished this year.
“This year 2013, we are increasing the budget of
DPWH in your region in the amount P1.5 billion, certainly this will be
appropriated in useful projects,” assured by the President.
Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps,
which was originally implemented by his predecessor, has been continued by
President Aquino.
“Reiterating my vow: No one will be left out in the
development we constructed,” Aquino told the audience.
4P is a human development program of the
national government aimed at helping poor households in meeting their health
and education needs, tasrgeting children aged 0-14 years old. It
provides cash grants to beneficiaries as long as they meet the terms required
by the program.
Program beneficiaries are receiving, cash grants of P6,000
a year or P500 per month per household for health and nutrition expenses; and P3,000
for one school year or 10 months or P300/month per child for educational
expenses. This, however, covers up to three children only per household .
A
household with three qualified children receives a financial assistance of
P1,400/month during the school year or P15,000 annually.
In Zamboanga del
Norte, 4P beneficiaries account for 84,520. (FPG/MAA/PIA-Zamboanga del
Norte)