| (TARLAC CITY, Tarlac) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday evening called on residents of Tarlac province to vote for candidates who would continue the government’s Daang Matuwid initiative, during the May 9 elections.During his meeting with hundreds of local leaders and members of the community who trooped to the Maria Cristina Freedom Park at the Tarlac Provincial Capitol Grounds here, the President presented the gains from the government’s reform programs as he joined Liberal Party candidates on stage, led by presidential bet Manuel Roxas II and his running mate Leni Robredo.
President Aquino said the number of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has increased to 4.6 million households from 780,000, while 93 percent of the country’s population is now covered by PhilHealth.
He also noted the 39,400 households in Tarlac that are beneficiaries of the 4Ps and the 16,351 people who have graduated from the Training for Work Scholarship Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The President also cited the government’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program in Tarlac, saying that P414.57 million has been spent for the improvement of barangay health stations, rural health units, urban health centers and hospitals in municipalities and in the city, including the Tarlac Provincial Hospital, where a four-storey Outpatient Department and Ward building is being constructed.
“Lahat ng tinanim natin nitong anim na taon, nag-aani na tayo ngayon, pero mas malaki pa ang susunod na ani. Maliban na lang kung papalitan natin ang namumuno sa atin,” said President Aquino.
“Para sigurado tayo, dito na tayo sa tumotoo na sa atin na hindi puro pangako pero… puro gawa,” the Chief Executive added. PND (jm) |
(GERONA, Tarlac) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday inspected the P248-million Tagumbao Bridge here that was completed in May 2014.“Pasensya na po kayo. 2014 pa nagawa ito, ngayon lang 2016 ako nagawi dito. Pero sabi ko nga ho, gusto kong makita ‘yan. Dahil may panahon dati, akala ko talagang napakaimposible magkaroon tayo ng ganitong tulay,“ the President said in his speech.
The 600-lineal meter bridge connects the eastern and western portions of the municipality of Gerona in Tarlac province.“‘Yung Gerona, isang bayan pag tag-init, pag tag-ulan, mayroong Western at ‘yung Sentro. Pag pupunta ‘yung Western sa kabayanan, sa poblasyon, dadaan ng Sta. Ignacia, dadaan ng Tarlac City, pupunta dito, syempre ‘yung gastos, ang haba ng biyahe bigla, dagdag sa transportasyon, nabubugbog ang paninda,” the President pointed out.
He recounted that back when he was still a congressman, he offered his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to have the bridge constructed.
“Tinanong ko sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), mayroon tayong PDAF noong panahon na ‘yun, nagkakahalaga ng mga P40 million. Sabi ko, ‘Pwede bang i-commit ko na sa inyo ang buong PDAF ko, para maitayo itong tulay na ‘ito?’ Ganun kaimportante,” he said.
“Hindi ho tayo nagtagumpay. Sabi sa ’kin, hindi raw ho pwedeng installment plan, kailangan daw puno na ang pondo. Ang pinoproblema ko noong panahon na ‘yun — siyempre pag tag-ulan rumaragasa ang tubig, inuubos ‘yung pampang — ‘yung riverbank. Palaki nang palaki, palawak nang palawak. ‘Yung dating mas makitid mahal na. Siyempre pag lumawak, lalo magiging mahal,” he added.
The Chief Executive however noted that with the help of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, the bridge, originally estimated to cost P375 million, was constructed with a savings of more than P100 million.
He also reported the other accomplishments of the government in Tarlac, among them the Paniqui-Moncada section of the Manila North Road and the Sapang Burgos bridge, farm-to-market road projects, post-harvest facilities, irrigation projects, flood control projects, and electrification projects.
President Aquino also witnessed the formal turnover of a two-storey building at the compound of the President Corazon C. Aquino High School here. PND (sm) |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued proclamations declaring special non-working holidays in some provinces this month.President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 1246 declaring April 23 (Saturday) as a special non-working holiday to mark the celebration of the “Battle of Quingua” in the town of Plaridel in Bulacan province.
The Battle of Quingua, where Filipino forces were under the command of General Gregorio del Pilar, was one of the most significant victories of the Filipinos during the Philippine-American war.
The President also signed Proclamation No. 1245 declaring April 22 (Friday) as a special non-working day to allow the residents of Dupax del Norte in Nueva Ecija province to celebrate the municipality’s Foundation Day.
Residents of Calatagan, Batangas province, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to commemorate the town’s Tourism and Cultural Day on April 30 (Saturday), which was declared as a non-working day by virtue of Proclamation No. 1247.
All three proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, by authority of President Aquino, last April 6. PND (jm) |
