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North-South via C5Arroyo said that last year, she promised to connect the North and South Expressways via C5. “Kausap na ang UP patungo sa Mindanao Avenue. Linuluwagan na ang Katipunan. Sa Mindanao Avenue naman, hinahanda na ang lupa na dadaanan ng C5. Sana lumawag na ang traffic sa North.” Clark Airport and NAIA Terminal 3Clark Airport now has 50 international flights and 50 cargo flights a week, the second busiest after NAIA. Speaking of NAIA, I’m sure everyone wants to know about Terminal 3. There are structural defects, we cannot risk the grim consequences of earthquakes, but NAIA is accelerating the opening of the terminal. Public safety comes first. Agri-business zonesIn the North Luzon Agri-business quadrangle, we are building farm-to-market roads, 200 kilometers of which are already finished. Ang mga agri-business zones ay payo sa atin ng dating Pangulong Ramos. (At this point Arroyo pauses to acknowledge the presence of Chief Justice Puno, whom she sees in the audience). “I am glad you are here. I believe this is the first time for Chief Justice Puno to attend the State of the Nation Address.” Boracay, Cebu, Masbate and tourismIn Boracay, the Kalibo Airport is now international. Next is an P80-million terminal. Bacolod-Silay airport is completed and just waiting for the access road. Boracay investors are expanding from the island. Busuanga airport is under construction. In Central Cebu, we declared a nature park. For Cebu, the top destination for foreign tourists, the tourists can radiate to other destinations. Going North from Cebu City, we take the North Coastal Road. Heavy traffic will cease when the P1.2 million Mandaue-Consolacion bridge opens. Last May I switched on the lights in Masbate, but the long-term solution will come next year when a new power plant is inaugurated in that beautiful island of Masbate. Energy and terrorismWe thank Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Migz Zubiri for sponsoring the bio-fuels law in the last Congress. But Mindanao’s energy challenge lies not in generating power but in power lines. Terrorists target these power lines, we must support the Human Security Act. Mindanao Super-regionArroyo cites government achievements in infrastructure to assist agriculture in Mindanao. Part of that assistance is making transportation easier. She cited improvements in the Dipolog and Cotabato airports, and the opening of the Ozamiz airport. In Agusan del Norte, there was a pilot micro-agri business. “Now that’s the kind of pork that has good cholesterol,” she says. Agriculture focusThe Department of Agrarian Reform will move to Davao. We must reform agrarian reform so it can transform beneficiaries into agri-businessmen and agri-businesswomen. We have outstanding farmers from the super-regions (at this point Arroyo calls out names, and the individual farmers stand up to be recognized). Naglaaan tayo ng P3 billion para gumawa ng farm-to-market roads. Hundreds of billions in infrastructure investmentsWe have had a balanced budget, payment of debt, lower taxes, thanks to the previous Congress. We have been investing hundreds of billions to human and physical infrastructure. First, investment in intellectual, legal infrastructure to increase business confidence. Second, investment in stronger and wider social safety nets. Third, investments in bringing peace to Mindanao. Last year I unveiled the super-regions. Hindi lamang Maynila ang Pilipinas. The super-regions was not a gimmick for the occasion but a blueprint. Arroyo congratulates newly elected officialsArroyo congratulates newly elected Senate President and House Speaker, thanks officials and audience. “We meet here today to inaugurate a new Congress, I congratulate every newly elected official for their hard-fought campaigns. Tapos na ang halalan at politika” Arroyo begins SONAThe Nation’s Prayer is said. De Venecia introduces Arroyo. Arroyo approaches rostrum, addresses both houses of Congress. Fourteenth Congress is holding its first regular session. |
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