Calbayog City, Samar Province
26 April 2013
President Benigno S. Aquino III met with the local leaders and the community of Samarnons to give news and updates on several government programs on both the national and local levels.
According to the President, tourism growth of the province had more than doubled in just a span of a year, with 140,000 tourists recorded in 2010 to more than 360,000 tourists in 2011. He added that tourism growth in the province will only improve further, bolstered by several ongoing infrastructure projects the government is pushing for such as the Maguino-o Port Pier Extension and Passenger Terminal Building –which was earlier inaugurated by the President — the Samar Road Rehabilitation Project that will rehabilitate 220 kilometers of roads that will connect Samar and Eastern Samar, and the Samar Pacific Coastal Road that will connect Northern and Eastern Samar.
President Aquino also updated the Samarnons on several government programs. He reported that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) now has more than 3.9 million household beneficiaries nationwide as compared from the previous administration’s 800,000 registered beneficiaries which, together with the K-12 program, is a sure investment for the Filipino people, especially those living below poverty line.
He also relayed Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala’s positive report, saying that the country is not only heading its way to becoming rice self-sufficient by the end of this year but given a favorable weather condition, will also venture in exporting local rice produce.
In addition, the President expressed his confidence that the country’s backlog on books and chairs, together with the 66,800 backlog on classrooms, will be completed before the year ends.
In closing, the President urged the Samarnons to be wise in electing their future leaders.
“Lahat ng mga hakbang na isinasagawa natin sa tuwid na daan ay nakasandig pa rin sa iisang diwa: hinahatid natin sa taumbayan ang pamahalaang inuuna ang kanilang kapakanan, sa halip na ang uri ng pamumunong sarili lang ang iniintindi… Huwag na po tayong lumihis pa sa tuwid na landas tungo sa malawakang kaunlaran,” he said.
* * *