PILI, Camarines Sur – Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed his gratitude to the Army’s 9th Infantry Spear Division (9ID) for its invaluable efforts in supporting peace and development in the Bicol region.
Go, who was guest-of-honor during the celebration of the 14th Founding Anniversary of 9ID at Camp Elias Angeles here Monday afternoon, said the strong cooperation and collaboration among the Army, local political leaders, law enforcers, private sector partners, and other stakeholders, is the formula to achieve peace and development.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to improve the transport of goods and services in Camarines Sur and the rest of the region through the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” Program.
“In August 2018, the Department of Finance included in its shortlist the proposed Camarines Sur-Catanduanes Friendship Road as one of its 12 big projects, which will be funded by the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB),” he said.
“The Department of Public Works and Highways is now conducting its studies on the PHP2.25-billion Camarines Sur Expressway project,” he added.
Also among the government’s projects is the PHP300-billion PNR South Long Haul Project that would shorten the travel time from Manila to Sorsogon and vice versa, Go said.
He added that the PHP4.74-billion Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway in Camarines Sur, which will be funded by the AIIB, is in the pipeline.
“The transportation projects will surely encourage tourists to visit the watersports park here in Pili and other local attractions throughout the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, for Albay, “the Department of Budget and Management has approved the construction of waterworks systems and the upgrading of existing water system facilities in several towns to provide adequate and safe water supply in the entire province,” Go said.
He also emphasized the three-point campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against drugs, corruption, and criminality, for which he sought the continued support of Bicolanos.
Apart from the members of the 9ID, in attendance during the event were Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 9ID Assistant Division Commander Brig. Gen. Arnulfo C. Matanguihan, 9ID Commander Major Gen. Jesus A. Manangquil Jr., leaders of local government units across the region, representatives of Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol), and several local entrepreneurs. (Melissa Basmayor/PNA)
