TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV visited Cagayan Capitol for the groundbreaking ceremony and blessing of Provincial Engineering Office’s (PEO) new buildings on Tuesday, October 17.
Senator Aquino attended the blessing of PEO’s main building worth P8,537, 680.71.
Aside from the PEO building, the PEO warehouse, and motor pool and repair bay were also blessed by Tuguegarao City Archbishop Sergio Utleg.
PEO said they will “strictly supervise” the construction of their new buildings after these were destroyed by Lawin October last year. They added the new buildings will be typhoon resilient.
In the ceremony, the Department of Public Works and Highways said the senator also sponsored three other rehabilitation projects in Tuao, namely Tuao West public market, the multipurpose building and covered court in Barangay Naruangan, Tuao, and the water supply projects in the town. These projects amounted P31,695,519.80.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba thanked the senator for his support to the province after the onslaught of super typhoon Lawin.
The governor admitted that rehabilitation from Lawin is still ongoing, saying that it is “difficult.”
He once again raised the issue on the 2017 budget, blaming its “delay” for the lack of funds for rehabilitation of some buildings and infrastructures damaged by super typhoon Lawin.
“Wala na kaming ginawa kundi maghingi outside the province,” added Mamba in his speech.
He said the Senate gave P28 million from their savings to the provincial government which will be used for the purchase of carpentry tools for all puroks in the province.
Mamba also asked Aquino for help in constructing his administration’s proposed five bridges across Cagayan River.
Aquino assured that the senate will “not forget” the rehabilitation of Cagayan from Lawin and that they will ensure “enough funds” for Cagayan in its Lawin rehabilitation efforts and projects.
“Hindi po madaling maging public official. Pero paniwala ko po, kung yung mga mabubuting tao na nagnanais ng reporma, ng pagbabago, ng malinis na pamamahala [at] ng mapayapang pamamahala, kung magsasama-sama naman tayo, lahat magagawa po natin,” Aquino said.
He also praised the resiliency of Cagayanos in rising up after the super typhoon, adding that this trait, along with unity, is ‘innate’ for Filipinos.
After the ceremony, Senator Aquino visited local radio stations. He visited Isabela province the day before. Northernforum.net