Maribojoc, Bohol
28 November 2013
“Ibang-iba na nga po ang sitwasyon ngayon dito sa Bohol kumpara nang huli tayong nagkita noong Oktubre,” said President Benigno S. Aquino III in his address after inspecting the emergency steel bridge temporarily replacing the earthquake-collapsed Abatan bridge.
In his speech, President Aquino reported the quick response of the joint national and local government efforts to the damages caused by the earthquake that hit Bohol in October 15.
He said that after the 7.2 magnitude tremor and typhoons Yolanda and Zoraida, the power in Bohol province will be fully restored before the upcoming Christmas.
President Aquino also reported that more than P65 million was released for the repair of houses through the Housing Materials Assistance Program of the National Housing Authority.
He highlighted the construction of temporary steel bridges in Tagbuane and Abatan which were opened on November 5 and 23, respectively. He clarified that the government built temporary connectors to make sure that the concrete and permanent bridges will last.
The President also mentioned the New Bohol Airport which will be located in Panglao town and will replace Tagbilaran City Airport. He said that the new airport will provide improved tourism and business in the province and will also entail creation of more job opportunities for Boholanos.
The Chief Executive stated that the National Museum, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines are studying the rehabilitation of collapsed Bohol churches which are considered as National Cultural Treasures. “Darating ang panahon na maitatayo ang mga ito at muling ibabantayog ang mayamang kultura at pananalig ng mga Boholano,” he said.
President Aquino said that the government is not aspiring to just bring back the displaced families to their unsafe homes but to provide better living conditions to Boholanos and relocate them to safer pasteurs.
“Muli’t muli nating patunayan na walang hamon na hindi natin kayang lampasan, lalo’t may malasakit ang Pilipino sa kapwa Pilipino. Tulad ng ipinakita ng bawat Boholano, sabay-sabay tayong babangon sa anumang pagkadapa, at sa kahit anumang yanig at pagsubok, kapit-bisig na titindig ang buong bansa,” said the President in closing.
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