President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (Dec. 2) led the inauguration of 143 social and tourism ports and the Zamboanga City Seaport Development Project.
Duterte initially visited the Zamboanga International Airport to inspect ongoing development projects of the airport, including its newly renovated Passenger Terminal Building (PTB).
LOOK: President Duterte and other officials lead the unveiling of the marker of the Busay Seaport Construction Project pic.twitter.com/3KFbtbhthl
— PTVph (@PTVph) December 2, 2021
In his speech, Duterte expressed delight over the completion and utilization of almost all the administration’s Build, Build, Build projects before his term ends in 2022.
Of the 143 port projects inaugurated, 52 are in Luzon, 64 are in Visayas, and 27 are in Mindanao.
“The completion of these projects will boost inclusive growth for various industries in our provinces, especially for the shipping, fishing, and tourism sectors,” he said.
“Also with more employment to be generated for various localities, we can now look forward to a stronger economy and the improved lives of the people under a new normal,” he added.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported that more than 100 infrastructure projects were completed between January 2019 and October 2021.
“As my term nears its end, let me emphasize even with all the difficulties posed by the pandemic, this administration will continue to implement vital infrastructure projects to improve the lives of the Filipinos,” he said.
“We remain committed in pursuing sustainable development projects that will benefit all our kababayans even beyond 2022,” he added.
Law and order
Meanwhile, Duterte mentioned his promises before entering the presidency on maintaining peace and stopping illegal drugs operations, saying that he will “never tolerate” terrorism.
In a separate speech, he thanked members of National Task Force – Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-RTF ELCAC) in Region IX for “dedicating and risking their lives to put an end to the decades-long insurgency problem that has curtailed development in the countryside.”
He also asked local and community leaders in supporting the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and crime “to achieve lasting peace and security.” – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-rir
