KEY INFRA PROJECTS SEEN TO TRANSFORM NORTHERN MINDANAO INTO PH MAJOR ECONOMIC HUB

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — In line with the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday (16 May 2024) said Northern Mindanao, including its center Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), remains the government’s top priority in infrastructure development.

For transport projects, the President mentioned the expansion of the Laguindingan Airport with a total project cost of close to P13 billion and the rehabilitation of the CDO Coastal Road and CDO Diversion Road. 

The government is also fast tracking the completion of the P700-million Cagayan de Oro Port Expansion Project, he said. Once completed, the project would ease port traffic congestion, speed up transport of goods and prop up regional economic activity.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang mga programang imprastraktura sa inyong lungsod at rehiyon, gaya ng pagpagawa ng mga paliparan, kalsada, at iba pang mga proyekto,” PBBM said.

Aside from building airports, ports and roads, he said the government will also construct the Trauma and Multi-Specialty Centers in Northern Mindanao Medical Center.

“Sa mga ito, makikita natin ang mga kongkretong hakbang sa kung paano natin pagbubutihin ang transportasyon, kalusugan, at imprastruktura sa rehiyon,” the President stressed.

The government is also supportive of irrigation and flood control projects in the region that will address water shortage and flooding particularly in CDO.

Marcos Jr. mentioned the scheduled launching of Flood Risk Improvement and Management Project for the Cagayan de Oro River. The project will greatly ease flooding in CDO especially if backed by other irrigation and water projects.

To normalize water supply in the city, Marcos said his government negotiated with Manuel Pangilinan’s CDO Bulk Water while a long-term solution is being threshed out.

“Pumayag po si Mr. Pangilinan sa ating pakiusap at handa po siyang makipag-pulong sa inyong alkalde upang matuldukan na ang suliraning ito at mabigyan ng kinakailangang tubig ang lagpas 60,000 kababayan dito sa CDO,” he said.

“Akin ding inatasan ang Local Water Utilities Administration na pag-aralan ang posibleng pamamahala nito sa Cagayan de Oro Water District upang sa lalong madaling panahon ay mapag-aralan ang solusyon sa sitwasyon ng suplay ng tubig dito sa inyong lugar,” the President told CDO residents. 

(el Amigo/MNM)