The “Daang Matuwid” campaign has finally reached the far south of the country.
Under heavy security, President Aquino made a historic visit to Basilan to drum up support for the administration presidential tandem in the upcoming elections.
The President listed down the government’s various infrastructure projects and social services benefiting the people of Basilan, saying these gains could be if Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo are elected in office.
“Mayroon ba sa matinong pag-iisip ang magsasabing huwag na nating ituloy ang Daang Matuwid? sa darating na ika-9 na Mayo, haharap muli tayo sa isang sangandaan kung saan pipili tayo ng mga susunod na pinuno ng bayan. Sa akin, kung ang tanong ay sino ang may kakayahan, karanasan at may konsensya, at walang kaduda-dudang itutuloy ang ating mga tagumpay, yan ang tambalang matuwid na sina Mar Roxas at Leni Robredo,” Aquino said.
“Sila ang tambalang walang bahid at magpapatuloy sa ating pag-angat, magpapatupad sa batas, at itataguyod ang kapakanan ng bayan bago sarili,” Aquino added.
The President’s visit to Basilan was mainly for the inauguration of the P1.8-billion Basilan Circumferential Road, which began in 2000 but was only completed within Aquino’s term.
The infrastructure project has drastically cut travel time along the circumferential road to two hours from three hours and 45 minutes.
Aquino, speaking to the local community in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip, said Basilan has not been left behind or forgotten in the administration’s collective pursuit of progress.
He explained the Basilan road project, built by the government despite threats from rebel groups to disrupt the construction, was a clear example of the efficiency of the Daang Matuwid.
From 2011 and 2016, Aquino said the government set aside P14.85 billion on infrastructure projects in Basilan, up from the P1.85 billion spent by the previous administration from 2005 to 2010.
At least 97 percent of the sitios in Basilan have been given access to electricity while the rest will be energized by March, Aquino said.
He said 31,449 poor households in Basilan are benefiting from the Conditional Cash Ttransfer program, compared to the zero number back in June 2010.
“Ang lahat ng mga tagumpay na ito, nagawa natin dahil sa ating ambagan at pagtutulugan,” Aquino said.
