General Santos City, South Cotabato
27 April 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III paid his second visit within the year to the local community of General Santos City.

In his speech, the President cited some of the government projects that are beneficial to the people in SocSarGen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City). Among these are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that exceeded its target to almost 135 percent, the 27 kilometer General Santos City Circumferential Road that cuts the travel time and cost of doing local business, and the proposed upgrading of the passenger terminal building of General Santos International Airport and GenSan Port.

The President also warned politicians who threaten beneficiaries of government projects in exchange for their votes in the upcoming elections. “Ang mga proyektong ito ay pinondohan ng taong-bayan at pinamamahalaan ng pambansang pamahalaan. Walang sino mang naghahari-harian ang maaaring ipagkait ito sa mga pinaka-kapuspalad nating kababayan,” President Aquino emphasized.

He also reiterated his call for the residents to choose the leaders who will deliver the benefits of government projects to the people. “Piliin natin ang mga pinunong tutulong sa pagpasan ng ating mga suliranin, sa halip na mga nagkikibit-balikat o nagpapabigat lang sa ating mga problema,” the President said.

General Santos City is the southernmost city in the Mindanao region and the 15th most populous city in the country. It is politically subdivided into 26 barangays as per census data of 2010.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas accompanied the President in his visit.

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