By Pearl Gumapos
As a part of the Duterte administration’s legacy, several infrastructure projects have been completed all across the country.
This is in accordance with the President’s Build, Build, Build program.
Biggest evacuation center
According to Capiz Governor Esteban Contreras, the biggest evacuation/convention center for Western Visayas will help the economic recovery of the province.
“This will be the biggest evacuation center slash convention center for Western visayas. I believe this will spur up the local economy,” Contreras said.
“Probably by next year, makapag-umpisa ng first three floors and hopefully, tuloy-tuloy na iyan. I’ll see to it na matapos siya in two to three years. That will be a legacy na makikita kahit wala na iyong si President Digong,” he added.
Aside from the five-floor center, the assistance given by the national government during typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a big help to the people.
“Aside from that, of course, iyong mga assistance , especially noong may bagyo. Ngayon na may COVID-19 na, iyong mga tao dito na hirap, nawalan ng trabaho — at least may financial assistance na naiparating ng national government. And we do appreciate it a lot. In behalf of the province of Capiz, maraming salamat po,” Contreras said.
Bridges connecting Visayas
Meanwhile, in Visayas, bridges connecting its islands were built.
“Malalaking impact ang malalaking infrastructure na nagawa namin netong legasiya namin sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte. Ilagay mo lang iyang bridges to connect the Visayas. Dati panaginip lang iyan ng mga taga-Visayas, na magkaroon kami ng connection with each other. Noong pag-upo ng ating Presidente, nabigyan iyan ng mga budget,” Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said.
“The expansion of the highways all over. I think the biggest project is the linking of Visayas islands, the bridge program ng ating Presidente. Iyan ang pinaka magandang legasiya ng ating President. Madali na lang pumunta sa mga isla ng Visayas,” she added.
In addition to the bridges built was the road widening which spans approximately 250 kilometers.
“Malaki ang project niya dito, iyong road widening program niya from north to south, and that is approximately about 250 kilometers na na-expand ‘yung aming highway,” Cadiao said.
Social programs of the national government have also helped make Antique a more progressive province.
“At saka iyong pag-asenso ng Antique in times of pandemic. You know naman na Antique is now branded as the rising star of Western Visayas and that is because ang dami niyang social programs na nilagay dito,” Cadiao said.
“Ang lahat ng eight districts dito sa Antique, binigyan ng budget ni President Duterte. Lahat iyan siguro 30 years, 50 years hindi nagalaw. Ngayon, ang gaganda na, ang lalaki na. May modern improvement,” she added.
Building and expansion of roads
Another contribution of the Duterte administration is the building of roads in Legazpi City which allowed the entry of investors.
“Iyong legacy niyang maiiwan, una diyan, iyong ating infrastructure na naglagay sa amin sa mapa. Itong mga kalsada na nilagay namin na dati hindi mo mapasok ang Legazpi kung hindi ka muna dadaan sa mga traffic,” Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal said.
“But because of the very aggressive program of the President, iyong Build, Build, Build niya, nagkaroon ng mukha iyong infrastructure ng Legazpi. Makikita mo iyong mga kalsada ng mga bago, creating investment opportunities hindi lang sa mga taga Legazpi, [pero pati] ang mga gustong mag-invest sa amin,” he added.
Meanwhile, in the whole of Bicol, Rosal said the under-construction airport will be a gamechanger.
“Sa buong Bicol, development is the key para maibsan natin ang krimen at droga. Kaya itong airport ay isang tingin kong legacy ni Pangulo. Isa itong legacy na hindi makakalimutan because this will be a gamechanger,” he said. -rir
