CCLEX to help boost regional development

Says Bong Go as he highlights Duterte legacy of uplifting lives of Filipinos

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte in Cordova City, Cebu for the inauguration of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) at the CCLEX Toll Plaza on Wednesday, April 27.

Expected to be one of Cebu’s iconic landmarks, the CCLEX is an 8.9-kilometer road that would link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island through the town of Cordova.

The CCLEX, developed by the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), is anticipated to serve at least 50,000 vehicles daily given its design speed of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour (kph), significantly helping decongest traffic in the area.

One of the major infrastructure projects under the Duterte Administration, the CCLEX is also expected to create more economic opportunities for the province and the Visayas.

In his speech during the inauguration, President Duterte thanked the late Cordova mayor and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office secretary Adelino “Addy” Sitoy for their huge support for the project, saying, “The third bridge that connects to Cebu was made possible because their vision and aspirations were for the people of Cordova, and maybe for all.”

The President then congratulated CCLEC and the provincial government of Cebu for completing the CCLEX despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“Your support for this administration’s goal to boost regional development, provide a comfortable life for every Filipino, and realize our vision to be a strongly connected nation is truly commendable. While your hardwork and dedication to ensure the completion of this monumental task are equally note-worthy,” Duterte remarked.

“It is also an opportune and relevant time to inaugurate the CCLEX as it coincides with the celebration of our ancestor’s victory in Mactan of more than 500 years ago… The state-of-art infrastructure will provide a solution to the perennial traffic issues of Metro Cebu,” he continued.

Go likewise congratulated Cebuanos for achieving two milestones as it consequently celebrated the 501st anniversary celebration of the Victory of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City and the inauguration of CCLEX.

Earlier that day, the senator was also with the President for the commemoration of the historical event that demonstrated the bravery and courage of Lapu-Lapu against the Spaniards. The ceremony was held at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. The event likewise marks the closing of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Go reiterated that he will continue to support more infrastructure initiatives that would benefit the nation and would promote more sustainable economic opportunities across the country.

The senator has been supporting various infrastructure initiatives of the government throughout different regions in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance to help provide more livelihood prospects for more Filipinos.

“Isa na naman pong proyekto ang nagtapos sa Build, Build, Build program at ito po ay aking ikinatutuwa dahil inaasahan ko na napakaraming Pilipino ang matutulungan nito. Sabi nga, tayo ay nasa Golden Age of Infrastructure ng bansa!,” expressed Go.

“Pero higit pa rito, tugma ito sa layunin natin na maramdaman sa bawat sulok ng bansa ang mga magagandang programa at proyekto ng gobyerno upang maisakatuparan ang pangako ni Pangulong Duterte na mabigyan ng mas komportableng buhay ang bawat Pilipino,” he added.

He then urged the next administration to continue and pursue further the Build, Build, Build program as he reiterated how it has notably given Filipinos the comfortable life they truly deserve.

“Kahit na po patapos na ang termino ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy ko pa rin po susuportahan ang mga inisyatiba ng gobyerno lalo na kung ito ay magpapabilis sa serbisyo at makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Basta para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino, ipaglalaban ko ito,” Go reassured.

“Nakita naman po natin na sa anim na taon na pamumuno ni Pangulong Duterte, pag-aangat ng buhay ng Pilipino ang kaniyang pangunahing agenda. Kaya naman aking ipagpapatuloy ito at sana po ito rin ay ipagpatuloy ng susunod na administrasyon,” he appealed.

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Bong Go lauds passage of MDDA law

Says improved gov’t coordination and public service delivery to further boost development in Mindanao

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go commended President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law Republic Act No. 11708 which creates the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority on Wednesday, April 27.

Go, who authored and co-sponsored the measure, assured his fellow Mindanaoans, especially Davaoeños, that the MDDA will improve the coordination among the local government units of Davao City and of nearby areas, resulting in better delivery of public services and integrated development planning, among others. This, he said, will benefit Mindanao as a whole.

“Considering the rapid urbanization of Davao City and increasing population of the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, napaka-traffic na po sa ngayon; the City of Digos in Davao del Sur, papunta po kanila (Senator) Bato; and the City of Mati in Davao Oriental, papunta rin po sa amin; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental, it is imperative that we create an agency which can centralize and oversee the development efforts and initiatives that deal with the challenges faced by Davao,” Go explained.

He said that the MDDA will help address the growing needs of Davao City and nearby areas through the services it will provide. These include development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, urban zoning, land use planning, shelter services, health and sanitation, as well as public safety.

The MDDA shall have jurisdiction over Davao City and the nearby cities of Panabo, Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; the City of Digos in Davao del Sur; the City of Mati in Davao Oriental; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag and Sulop in Davao del Sur; Carmen in Davao del Norte; Maco in Davao de Oro; and Malita in Davao Occidental.

The governing board and policy-making body of the proposed authority shall be the Metropolitan Davao Development Council (MDDC), which shall be composed of the Chairperson of the Regional Development Council-Region XI, the governors of the five provinces, six city mayors, and nine municipal mayors.

The MDDA is tasked to consult, coordinate, and work closely with the local government units, the Regional Development Council of Region XI, national government agencies, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, and the private sector operating in Metropolitan Davao.

In coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Finance, the MDDA can also interface with foreign assistance agencies to obtain financing support, grants and donations in support of its programs and projects.

“Bukod pa sa aking mga binanggit, magiging tulay din po ang MDDA para mapagbuklod ang publiko at pribadong sektor dahil isa sa mga mandato nito ay ang pakikipagtulungan sa mga pribadong organisasyon, at sa mga businesses na nag-ooperate sa Metropolitan Davao,” said Go.

Since Davao region is one of the leading centers of development in the country, Go said that the MDDA is envisioned to serve as a gateway to extend the development to other regions in Mindanao.

“Dahil sa mabilis na paglago ng ekonomiya ng Davao City at karatig-LGUs nito, panahon na po upang magkaroon doon ng isang sentralisadong ahensya na siyang magbibigay ng iisang direksyon at magsisilbing gabay sa urban planning ng mga lugar na ito,” Go said in a previous interview.

“Kaya naman, muli akong nagpapasalamat sa aking kapwa mambabatas sa pagsuporta sa panukalang ito,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go also lauded Duterte for issuing a proclamation reserving certain parcels of land of the government in Barangay Bago Oshiro, Davao City for the establishment of the Davao Regional Government Center.

The establishment of an RGC in Davao City aims to foster administrative efficiency and improve the delivery of public service through the adoption of a one-stop government center to serve the Davao Region.

A total of 59 government agencies with assigned lots in the proposed RGC confirmed their involvement in the project, as well as their commitment to develop their respective lots.

Thousands welcome BBM and Sara in CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Despite a heavy afternoon rain, thousands of UniTeam supporters stayed to see the frontrunner tandem of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte in a rally at the Pelaez Sports Complex here Tuesday.

Adelaida Acabu, 34, from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, was among thousands of followers who braved the nearly three-hour rain just to be infront of the stage.

“Alas sais pako sa buntag naa diri. Kadtong nag-ulan naa gihapon ko diri wa ko nihawa aron dili ko mapulihan ug aron makita gyud nako sila sa stage,” Acuba, who was still soaking wet at around 7 p.m., said.

“Sila (BBM-Sara) akong gusto suportahan ug nanghinaot ko sa ilang kadaugan,” she added.

Another staunch supporter who bravely waited for the candidates under the UniTeam ticket was Clifford Sabejon, who hails from Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental.

“Ganina mga 1 p.m. ko naabot diri sa sports complex. Bisan nag-ulan naghulat mi makita ang mga kandidato sa UniTeam,” Sabejon, a construction foreman, said.

Through out the rally, Sabejon was seen waving his wet huge Philippine flag.

“Wala nako niuli ug balay pag-ulan. Bahala og mabasa. Nagpadayon ko diri kay nakita man nako nga insakto ang pagdala sa Davao City ug tinuoray ang ilang tumong,” he added.

In her speech, Sara recalled that they received an overwhelming support from the people of Cagayan de Oro in 2016 when they campaigned for then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential bid.

“Niadtong 2016, nangampanya mi para kay President Duterte, nag-Byaheng Do30 mi nagsakay mi ug bus. Diri mi nakakita sa Cagayan de Oro og dako kaayo nga pagwelcome sa mga tao sa highway,” Sara said.

Duterte, who is now in the final two weeks of her campaign, thanked thousands of people for the sustained love and support their family receives through the years.

“Dili mahurot ug wala mi sakto nga words sa pagpasalamat namo sa kanunay ug hugot ninyo nga suporta sa pamilyang Duterte. Thank you very much,” said Duterte. HNP Media

Menzi Beach Park dili sa Mati City LGU

Mipagula og pagpaklaro ang Mati City LGU kalabot sa luna sa Menzi Beach Park and Campsite sa Dahican Beach nga wala kini gipanag-iyahan sa lokal nga panggamhanan busa dili kini mamahimong gamiton nga basta-basta lamang.

Mao kini ang giklaro sa Mati City LGU human mikatag ang istorya nga himoon kining libre alang sa publiko sulod sa unom ka bulan kon ugaling mudaog ang usa ka kandidato pagka-mayor ning Dakbayan sa Mati.

Giklaro sa City of Mati LGU nga libre gayud ang pagsulod sa maong luna apan dili kini mamahimong mag-operate isip usa ka resort.

Subay sa Memorandum of Agreement tali sa City of Mati LGU ug sa Menzi Trust Fund Inc., nga maoy nanag-iya sa usa ug tunga sa ektaryang luna, mamahimong gamiton sa lokal nga panggamhanan ang Menzi Beach Park isip ecotourism facility sulod sa unom ka tuig gikan Enero 1, 2022 hangtud Disyembre 31, 2027.

Mubayad ang LGU og P500,000 isip tinuig nga renta ngadto sa Menzi Trust Fund sulod sa unang tulo ka tuig. Samtang P600,000 matag tuig sa nahibiling tulo ka tuig.

Nakabutang usab sa maong MOA Article 3.2.3 nga nagkinahanglang idevelop ang property subay sa “duly approved plan including site development plan, architectural plan, detailed engineering plans and detailed project estimates”.

Apil sa plano ang pagtukod sa Kagan Cultural Center and Marine Center/Museum nga napatik sulod sa proposed operational guidelines nga gisumitar sa City Tourism and Promotions Office.

Sumala ni Mati Tourism Officer Dashiel Indelible Jr nga wala gayud sila nagapabayad sa musulod sa Menzi Beach Park kon ang tumong niini dunay kalabutan sa ecotourism ug dili aron mangaligo lamang ug himoong tambayanan ang lugar.

Sumala ni Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat nga wala gayud sa ilang plano nga himoong resort ang Menzi Beach Park diin mamahimong makasulod ang bisan si kinsang gustong maligo sa Dahican Beach sama sa gibuhat sa miaging administrasyon.

“Government should not be competing with the private sector. They are heavily invested in their resort business and are taxpayers of the city. They cannot match the bottomless resources of government. The purpose of the complex is to support and enhance tourism in the city. That is why it is called Menzi Information Center,” segun ni Mayor Michelle.

Ilado ang Menzi Beach Park kaniadto isip usa ka resort nga mamahimong gamiton sa katawhan nga makabayad sa entrance fee.

Apan wala na kini tugti sa Menzi Trust Fund Inc. subay sa ilang bag-ong MOA tali sa Mati City LGU ubos sa administrasyon ni Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat.

Ang maong MOA gikinahanglang sundon gihapon sa mga musunod nga administrasyon og dili lamang sa kasamtangang administrasyon.

Dabawenyos told to observe health protocols on polls day

The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force and the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Davao reiterated the call for Dabawenyos to adhere to health protocols on election day, May 9, 2022.

Under Executive Order (EO) No. 11, Series of 2022, which remains valid, the wearing of face masks is mandatory.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, earlier said that since the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains, the people needs to stay disciplined.

She said that in a gathering, whether it is an election, wedding, birthday, or a simple friendly get-together, there’s a great chance of spreading infection. Thus she reminded Dabawenyos to remain vigilant as COVID-19 still exists, underscoring the importance of wearing face masks at all times except when eating or drinking and refraining from engaging in high-risk behaviors and activities.

Aside from wearing face masks, getting fully vaccinated and boostered, and practicing proper hand hygiene, she also reminded voters to bring their stuff, such as ball pens, when they go to their designated polling precincts.

She added, “Dugay naman nato na gina-encourage sa mga establishments and offices. Mas maayo to bring your own stuff kasi wala man ta kabalo kinsa naggunit ana and definitely, kinahanglan gyud mag-hand hygiene. You have to wash your hands, bring your alcohol with you kung kinahanglan nimo i-disinfect isa ka bagay nga gunitan nimo (We have been encouraging it in establishments and offices. It’s better to bring your stuff since we don’t know who also held those things and definitely, hand hygiene is vital. You have to wash your hands, and bring your alcohol with you if you need to disinfect something that you need to hold). Again, face mask, hand hygiene, and bring your stuff.”

Comelec-Davao Assistant Regional Director lawyer Gay Enumerables said that they even have a resolution that aside from the face masks, the wearing of face shield is also required during election day but she was quick to add that it still depends on the IATF guidelines.

“Magdala ug ballpen, suot face mask. Pagsulod sa eskwelahan, duna’y thermal scanning, kung normal ang temperatura mudiretso sila sa voter’s assistance desk. Kung wala sila kabalo asa sila nga cluster precinct nalista didto nila tan-awon ang precinct number ug sequence number (Bring your ballpen and wear your face mask. When entering the school, there’s thermal scanning at the entrance, if the temperature is normal, they can proceed to the voter’s assistance desk. If they don’t know their cluster precint, they can check their precinct number and sequence number there),” Atty. Enumerables said during the Madayaw Davao program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on April 21, 2022.

However, she said that if a voter has a temperature of 37.5 or more, he or she will be assisted to the isolation polling place (IPP), a classroom near the entrance, by medical personnel. A ballot will be handed to them and they can cast and feed their ballots inside the IPP. After voting, they can then leave the IPP.

But she also said high temperature may be due to the hot weather condition so they may be asked to rest awhile, go under a shade, or drink water before they go through the thermal scanning again.

Atty. Enumerables also reminded voters to come early and have a list of their candidates ready. She added that wearing t-shirts with a candidate’s name or photo is prohibited, as well as taking a picture of one’s ballot or taking a selfie with it.

She also said, “There’s no campaigning on election day for that would be an election offense. Do not have any unnecessary markings on your ballot but only shade the ovals or circles fully. Otherwise, it might be rejected by the voter counting machine (VCM). If you have shaded a candidate then later realized you shaded the wrong one, you cannot cross it and shade another because that would already be overvoting and that position will not be counted at all.”

All VCMs, according to her, have arrived and are being stored inside the compound of Comelec’s logistic partner. These are guarded by personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The ballots are expected to arrive by the end of April.