Billy Begas
Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte on Sunday said that the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to visit and launch various projects in his province is “solid proof of his desire to achieve national healing and unity.”
Villafuerte made the statement as he thanked Marcos for breaking ground on the high-rise mass housing projects under the administration’s 4PH that would benefit 10,000 families in Camarines Sur.
The solon said the groundbreaking ceremony for the 12 residential towers, each rising 25 floors high in Naga City highlighted the President’s day-long visit to Camarines Sur last Thursday. Marcos also launched the first Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlet in the region, visited a coconut processing center, and led the distribution of government assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, small-scale entrepreneurs, flood victims, and other local beneficiaries.
Once completed, Villafuerte said the housing buildings will be the tallest structure in Bicol. At present, the highest is 20-storey tall.
“This is the first province na nag ground break ng ganitong programa and according sa DHSUD (Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development), this launching will be the biggest to date with over 3,000 people witnessing this occasion, kaya Mr. President ulit maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo,” said Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party, the second largest party in Congress.
Villafuerte said the 4PH low-cost housing complex will not only provide homes to more than 10,000 families but will also generate P6 billion to P8 billion worth of local economic activity and create thousands of jobs.
“There are 81 provinces in our country … pero pinili po ng mahal na Pangulo bisitahin po ang ating probinsya ngayong araw. Ito po ang pinaka unang probinsya na mag pipirma ng Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the pabahay program of our President,” he added.
He added that the presence of Marcos is “the latest proof that, true to your (President Marcos) promise during the 2022 presidential campaign and in your first SONA (State of the Nation Address) last July, you have started to deliver on your commitment to pursue national unity and improve the lives of our people.”
Camarines Sur is the home province of former Vice President Leni Robredo, the closest opponent of Marcos in the 2022 presidential election.
“To visit and give priority to the province of one of the presidential contenders in last year’s balloting is solid proof of his desire to achieve national healing and unity on his watch. Ilang dekada na po tayo nag aaway-away, political discord, political divisiveness that have hurt our country’s growth and development. Tama na po ‘yan, magkaisa na po tayo ,” he added.
Villafuerte also urged his province-mates to heed the President’s call to unite.
“Malinaw na ang panawagan ng ating Pangulo na magkaisa tayong lahat ay kita at ramdam hindi lang sa isip, hindi lang sa salita pero malinaw sa kanyang mga aksyon at gawa,” he said. “Kaya tama po ang sinabi ni Governor Luigi (Villafuerte) that, “His (Mr. Marcos) success is our success,” ang kanyang tagumpay ay tagumpay ng bawat Pilipino.”
The solon said that he has been coordinating with DHSUD Sec. Jerry Acuzar to fast-track the project.
