PGMA UNVEILS PROGRAMS ON INFRA, HEALTH;
PAYS TRIBUTE TO SLAIN SOLDIERS IN CAMARINES SUR

SAGÑAY, Camarines Sur --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has inaugurated during her sorties here Monday (May 31) the Tigaon-Mayong National Secondary Road, formerly known as Sagñay-Albay Boundary Road, six years after it was completed.

President Arroyo said that the completion of road networks, such as the Sangay-Tiwi road project here in Camarines Sur, is part of her super region projects which focuses on the economic strength of particular regions.

“In Bicol, Atulayan is one of the potential tourist attractions which would showcase this regions’ potential for economic growth. This will be an essential key for development and eventually, the growth of this community,” the President noted.

Bicol Region belongs to the Central Philippines Cluster, together with three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.

The Tigaon-Mayong road network project, also known as the Sangay-Tiwi Road has a total road length of 24 kilometers.

In October 2000, the project was carried out under the Rural Road Network Development Project Phase II for the concrete-paving of the said road network and completed in November 2004. Now, it serves as the shortest route connecting the 4th District of Camarines Sur to the province of Albay and vice versa.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Arroyo headed to the inspection of the nearby Botika ng Barangay.

The President reiterated her administration’s thrust under the “Murang Gamot para sa lahat, Alagaan ang Kalusugan” to lower the cost of medicines so that everyone, especially the poor, can afford them.

In this town, only one Botika ng Barangay exists in the main Poblacion area. After its venture a few years back, it ceased to operate due to budgetary constraints and lack of pharmacist. It resumed operation under the management of the parish pastoral council of the Saint Andrew Parish.

In her visit, President Arroyo assured the town’s constituents that she will assign one provincial pharmacist to comply with the requirement of the Department of Health (DOH). Currently, there is a total of 27 Botika ng Barangay which are already in full operation in the 4th District of Camarines Sur.

The President also took time to visit Dr. Manuel T. Fuentebella Hospital which is also just within the Poblacion area, for a brief inspection. After taking a quick lunch at Congressman Noli Fuentebella’s residence, she flew back to Pili Airport, motored to the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division of the Philippine Army at Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur and condoled with the families of slain soldiers who fell victims to the New People Army’s attack in an upland village of Presentacion town, two days ago.

President Arroyo witnessed the awarding of the Military Merit Medal to the slain valiant army officers: First Lieutenant Miguel Logronio, Jr; a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2009; Corporal Arturo Hernandez, Pfc Albert Jamera and Pfc Edwin Britannico.

She also handed down P1.45M Cash assistance to all the families of ambushed government troop members and P50,000.00 each for those who were wounded in action.

The soldiers were on duty when the ambush happened. They were deployed in the area to watch over PGMA’s flagship project in the region, particularly the road projects linking Presentacion to the town of Caramoan . (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur/mal)