Gumaca National High School, Quezon
11 March 2013

After his Catanauan visit, President Benigno S. Aquino III proceeded to another meeting with local leaders and the community in Gumaca, Quezon province.

In his speech, President Aquino emphasized to everyone that ‘kayo pa rin ang boss ko’ and that they are the source of his strength. Because of the continuous support that the people are giving to his administration, they are now able to experience the fruits of their hard work in just a span of 2 years and 8 months.

The President cited Quezon’s abundant natural resources, which is the reason for the boost of tourism in the province. “Sa katunayan, noong taong 2011, umabot sa mahigit isandaang libo ang bilang ng mga turistang bumisita rito. Sino nga naman ba ang hindi maaakit na pumunta sa Villa Escudero sa Tiaong, o sa Puting Buhangin Beach ninyo sa Pagbilao? Kung sa larawan pa lang ay maganda na, mas lalo pa siguro kung personal nilang mapuntahan ang ancestral houses ninyo sa Sariaya, o maranasan ang inyong Pahiyas Festival,” he said.

He added that several infrastructure projects are lined up to improve the province’s tourism and commerce such as the Lucena Diversion Talao-Talao Port Road, which will reduce travel time from 45 minutes to 20 minutes and will benefit 7,000 motorists. There is also the SLEX Extension that will connect Quezon and Laguna via Maharlika Highway. Once completed, travel time from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon will be reduced from 4 hours to 1 hour.

“Hindi ba’t kapag sapat ang imprastrakturang susuporta sa mga industriya, aaliwalas din ang takbo ng kalakal, at mas maraming produkto ang magagawa? Kapag naayos ang mga kalsada’t tulay, bubukas ang mas maraming pinto sa pagdagsa ng mga turista. At kapag mas marami ang turista, mas maraming trabaho, kabuhayan at pagkakataong kumita,” President Aquino concluded.