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07 April 2015

President Aquino inaugurates P772.9-million Lullutan Bridge that would boost Isabela’s agricultural sector
(ILAGAN CITY, Isabela) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday inaugurated the P772.9-million bridge in Barangay Lullutan, Ilagan City, Isabela province.

In a project briefing during the inauguration, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the bridge used to be a spillway that was destroyed by a typhoon some 20 years ago.

Secretary Singson apologized for the one-year delay in the construction of the 500-meter Lullutan Bridge, explaining that the government ran into a number of problems while building it.

Noting that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allocated P8.1 billion for Isabela from 2011 to 2015, he said the government will continue to improve Isabela’s national roads and construct more farm-to-market roads in the province.

The bridge, considered as one of the longest bridges to cross the Cagayan River, connects Barangay Camalagui 1 and Barangay Lullutan, both in Ilagan.

With the absence of a bridge after the spillway was destroyed in 1995, residents have been using barges to transport their agricultural products to markets in Ilagan.

The Lullutan Bridge, with a loading capacity of 20 tons, is made of 14-span structural steel girders with reinforced concrete slab supported by 13 piers, with two concrete column pedestals resting on group bored pile foundation. It also features Portland Cement Concrete Pavement approaches, measuring 1.175 kilometers.

The bridge was completed last January 21 under Package II-A of the DPWH.

Officials expect the bridge to open up new opportunities for Isabela, particularly its agricultural sector.

Also during the inauguration, President Aquino led the granting of financial assistance to 73 boatmen (bangkeros) displaced by the construction of the Lullutan Bridge.

Each bangkero, who used to ferry people and goods when the bridge was not yet completed, received P20,000 from the President.

Also present at the event were Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III, Isabela District 1 Representative Rodolfo Albano III, and Ilagan City Mayor Jose Marie Diaz. PND (as)


President Aquino vows to continue improving Isabela’s infrastructure
(ILAGAN CITY, Isabela) The inauguration of the P772.9-million Lullutan Bridge is just the start of the government scheme to improve the infrastructure of the Cagayan Valley region, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.“Bahagi lamang ang Lullutan Bridge sa malawakan nating inisyatiba na paunlarin ang imprastruktura sa Isabela at sa buong bansa,” President Aquino said in his speech during the event.

He noted that since 2011, the government has released P11.9 billion for the development of Isabela’s infrastructure and irrigation projects.

Among these projects, he said, are the ongoing construction of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge that will connect Isabela and other municipalities in the Cordillera Administrative Region; and the repair and widening of the Maharlika Highway, National Road 1 or Asian Highway 26.

“Tuloy-tuloy din po ang konstruksiyon natin ng kalsadang magkokonekta sa Daang Maharlika at sa Santiago-Tuguegarao Road sa Santiago City,” he added.

Also part of the government initiative are 59.56 kilometers (km) of farm-to-market roads in the province that have been built and repaired, he said.

“Oras matapos natin ang dagdag pang 15.91 na kilometrong farm-to-market roads dito sa inyo, aabot sa halos 20,000 ang farmer beneficiaries ng probinsiya,” the President said.

He further reported that the government has completed 161 irrigation projects in Isabela, and is working to finish 32 more irrigation projects that would water 146,625 hectares of farmlands and benefit 90,950 farmers.

“Idagdag na rin ninyo diyan ang sinimulan nating Pasa Small Reservoir Irrigation Project. ‘Pag nakumpleto ito sa 2016, inaasahang tataas sa 9,996 metric tons mula sa 555 metric tons ang annual rice production ng Ilagan,” he stated.

Summing up the infrastructure projects in the entire Cagayan Valley region, the President said the government has already begun developing 25.4 km of the first section of the alternate route for Dalton Pass and is studying the extension of the North-South Railway Project that will traverse Isabela as well as the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.

President Aquino said the government aims to increase the budget allocation for national infrastructure development from the present four percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) to five percent next year.

“Dahil nga pinili ng sambayanan ang tuwid na daan, ang mga pangarap na dating nakatiwangwang, isa-isa na pong nating naisasakatuparan. Mula sa pagiging ‘Sick Man of Asia’, ‘Asia’s Rising Tiger’ na ang ating bansa,” he said. PND (as)


President Aquino expects Filipinos to choose new leader who adheres to ‘daang matuwid’
(ILAGAN CITY, Isabela) President Benigno S. Aquino III said Tuesday he is confident that the Filipino people will choose a new leader who will continue the “righteous path” that he championed when he ran for office five years ago.Speaking during the inauguration of the Lullutan Bridge here, the President credited the Filipino people for bringing about change in the country.

“Kayo ang aking mga Boss; kayo ang sambayanang Pilipino na aking pinaglilingkuran; kayo po ang gumawa ng pagbabago. Kayo po ang naging susi para sa transpormasyong tinatamasa na natin ngayon. Binigyan po ninyo ako ng mandato, at sabay-sabay po nating nakikita ang positibong bunga ng lahat ng ating pinagsikapan,” he told his audience.

He noted that if the people are pleased with the country’s transformation, then they must continue supporting good governance.

Addressing the frequently asked question on who would pursue the reforms he has begun once he leaves office, the President said he believes that the people would continue building the nation.

“Mga Boss, bilib ako sa inyo. Kayo ang magpapatuloy nito, at alam kong hindi kayo magpapa-bola sa mga nagprepresentang kakampi natin, pero klaro namang doble-kara,” he noted.

“Tiwala akong marunong tumanaw ang Pilipino sa nakaraan, nang hindi na maulit pa ang mga naging kamalian noon, at sa gayon ay marating natin ang nais nating patunguhan.”

In his remaining 450 days in office, he said he is more determined to continue pushing for national development.

“Bilang inyong Pangulo, tunay pong pribilehiyo ko na paglingkuran ang sambayanan. Sa patnubay at pagmamahal ng Panginoon, at sa matibay ninyong suporta, sigurado akong walang anumang pagsubok ang di natin kayang lagpasan,” President Aquino said. PND (as)