MALACANANG, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III has stressed the need to continue his administration’s reform programs, calling on residents of Cagayan province to vote wisely in the May 9 elections.
In a meeting with leaders and members of the community in Tuguegarao City on Monday, the President highlighted the gains of Daang Matuwid, including programs in poverty alleviation, health care, education and livelihood, which have benefitted millions of Filipinos.
“Pinangako ko sa inyo: Pagbaba ko sa pwesto, ‘di hamak mas maganda ang iiwan ko kaysa sa ating dinatnan. Kung hindi niyo nadadama ‘yung lahat ng pinaghirapan natin ‘nitong anim na taon na ‘to, bigo ho ako. Pero kung totoo na talagang ‘di hamak na mas maganda ang kinalalagyan natin kaysa sa dinatnan natin ‘nong 2010, kayo na ho siguro ang pruweba diyan. At kayo na ang bahala sa atin sa May 9,” President Aquino said in his speech delivered before an enthusiastic crowd at the Cagayan National High School in Barangay San Gabriel.
The national government has allocated P17.04 billion in infrastructure projects in Cagayan province from 2011 to 2016, compared to only P3.79 billion from 2005 to 2010.
“Dito sa Cagayan, tatlong tulay ang bago, maliban pa doon sa mga nire-repair,” said the President, who inaugurated the P639.89-million Pamplona Bridge before going to Tuguegarao City.
President Aquino said the province now has 75 shared service facilities, aside from irrigation and farm-to-market roads worth P3.5 billion, and post-harvest machinery worth P128.89 million.
He also noted that in Cagayan, 32,205 households are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and 1.03 million are members of PhilHealth.
The President said P377.25 million has been allotted for the health facilities enhancement program under the Department of Health while 2,000 classrooms have been constructed or are under construction in the province.
President Aquino also mentioned that 325 sitios in Cagayan have been energized under the government’s sitio electrification program.
He reminded Cagayan’s voters to think of the future when they cast their ballots on election day.
“Tayo ang magdedesisyon ng kinabukasan. Importanteng masabi natin sa susunod na henerasyon: Habang may buhay, may problema, pero ‘yung problema ninyo dapat iba na sa problemang hinarap namin dahil inayos na namin ang mga problemang ‘yan. Dapat pwede nating masabi: ‘Di hamak mas maganda na Ang pagkakataon ninyo sa kinabukasan dahil pinagpaguran namin ‘yan at hindi namin kayo pinabayaan,” said the President, who will end his term on June 30.
“So, importante ho, sa Lunes. Hindi ‘yung ilang minuto lang tayo nandoon. Pag-isipan natin. Sa akin, tinawag ko nga hong referendum itong eleksyon na ito. Tama ba ang ginawa natin sa Daang Matuwid o hindi? Tama ba na mayroon tayong 7.7 million nai-angat mula sa poverty level? Tama ba na 93 million ang mga PhilHealth beneficiary? Tama ba na 4.6 million ang nasa Pantawid ngayon? Tama ba ang lowest unemployment rate natin? Tama ba ang 6.2 percent average GDP (gross domestic product), biggest since the ‘70s?” he added.
President Aquino called on his audience to explain the achievements of Daang Matuwid to others.
“Huwag nating gawing biro-biro ang darating na halalan sa Lunes. Hindi pwede ‘yung — baka sakaling tumutoo ‘yung mga kalaban ni Mar Roxas, baka sakaling alam nila ang ginagawa nila, baka sakaling tama sila. Bakit pa tayo magba-baka… kung may sigurado naman! – Sina Mar Roxas at Leni Robredo,” the President said.
President Aquino underscores need to continue Daang Matuwid programs
