MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday pledged to visit remote areas in the country to help needy Filipinos.
“Bagama’t malayo na rin ang inabot natin mula nang [umpisahan nating] tahakin ang daan tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas, marami pa tayong sektor na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin at kailangan pang alalayan,” President Marcos said in his speech at the Binirayan Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.
The President said no Filipino will be left behind in the government’s pursuit of a Bagong Pilipinas.
“Magtiwala po kayo na sisikapin namin na maabot ang ating mga liblib at malalayong pamayanan sa bawat sulok ng bansa, nang sa gayon ay walang maiiwanan at walang mahuhuli at sama-sama tayong [maglalakbay] sa Bagong Pilipinas, patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the President said.
The Chief Executive said his administration is ready to respond to peoples’ concerns.
“Nananatiling bukas ang inyong pamahalaan upang makinig at tumugon sa inyong mga hinaing at upang matulungan kayong makamit ang inyong mga pangarap para sa inyong mga sarili, para sa inyong mga pamilya, at kasama rin para sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
President Marcos visited Antique on Thursday to personally hand over financial assistance, farm machineries and equipment to farmers and fisherfolk severely affected by El Niño. He has been going around the country since May to personally deliver government aid.
The Chief Executive said his visits allow him to see for himself the condition of farmers and fisherfolk and hear their concerns.
Among those visited by the President are Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao, Bicol, Cagayan Valley, and Caraga.
During his speech, the President expressed confidence the Antiqueños will work together with the national and provincial governments for economic development in their province.
“Sa pakikipagsapalaran nating ito, umaasa ako na makikiisa kayo sa amin at sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan upang mapaunlad [pang] lalo ang inyong ekonomiya at magdala ng pangmatagalang kasaganahan sa Antique,” he said.
The President mentioned the government’s infrastructure projects for Antique. One of them is the repair of Paliwan Bridge.
“Sa taon namang ito, masaya kong ibinabalita na tuluyan na [nating naayos] at binuksan ang tulay na nasira ng Bagyong Paeng — ang Paliwan Bridge, na iyong luma ay nasira, naglalagay po tayo ng bago. Ito ay [nagdurugtong] sa mga bayan ng Laua-an at Bugasong,” he said.
The President added that the Panay East-West Lateral Road is 80 percent completed.
As for the Antique Airport Development Project, the President said the government will soon widen its runway.
“Sa susunod na buwan, sisimulan na natin ang pagpapalawak ng runway, paglalagay ng mga check-in [counters] at iba pang mga kagamitan para sa passenger terminal building,” he said. (PND)
