PGMA inaugurates P74-M bus terminal in Danao City
Cebu City (13 October) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this morning led the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the marker that inaugurated the P74M new bus terminal cum public market of Danao City, Cebu the hometown of Tourism Sec. Ace Durano.
In her message before over 1,000 city residents, Mrs. Arroyo said she wants Danao City to serve as an example to local government units (LGUs) nationwide to avail of the loan funding from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for local development projects.
The LBP has US $200-M budget allocation for local development projects that may be undertaken by the LGUs, according to the President.
Of the total project cost, the LBP loan amounted to P53 M while the remaining P21 M came from local funding, bared Danao City Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III who is the father of Tourism Sec. Ace Durano.
Arroyo said she has witnessed the growth of Danao City in her five years in office which, may be the reason why the population is also rising.
"I believe that Danao City will be the center of the light industry in the North," the President quoted, as she was happy to learn that four new locators have invested in the specific area declared as special economic zone. Mitsumi Corporation, a Japanese semi-conductor firm based in Danao City has already employed about 15,000 workers while the President expressed hopes that more job opportunities will open for residents and the people of Cebu in general with the investments of the four locators.
The new bus terminal can also help transport fish products from nearby provinces with the near completion of the Macapagal-Durano Fish Port Project to other parts of the province, Mrs. Arroyo revealed.
Pres. Arroyo mentioned her nautical highway project that aims to make the transport of goods and services among the country's islands more efficient, accessible and affordable.
Upon the President's arrival via chopper at the Macapagal-Durano Fish Port Project landing zone, she was briefed by Mayor Durano on the status of the ongoing fish port project. Phase 1 of the project was partially funded by the President's Social Fund while the Phase II includes the building component of the project that is expected to be finished by June 2007.
Mrs. Arroyo also said the fish port project is a testimony of the three-generations of friendship that existed between her family, the Macapagals, and the Duranos that began with her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal and Danao City's Grand Old Man, the late Ramon Durano Sr.
The President also told Sec. Ace Durano who is appointed as the Central Philippines - Super Region Development Chairman to immediately facilitate the road improvement of Cebu's North Road having been impressed by the South Coastal Road that led to the province's southern towns. "We want the highway of Northern Cebu to be the same as in the South," the President said. (PIA-Cebu/FCR) [top]
