President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said the upgrading of airports and the rehabilitation of roads and ports will transform Northern Mindanao into a “leading agricultural hub” and a “major industrial, tourism, trade center.”
The President, in a speech during the distribution of aid to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño held at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology Gymnasium in Iligan City, said the National Economic and Development Authority has laid out and approved the different strategies and projects under the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan from 2023 to 2028.
The plan includes the expansion, rehabilitation and development of major airports in Ozamiz (Labo airport), Cagayan de Oro (Lumbia airport), Misamis Oriental (Laguindingan airport), Camiguin and Bukidnon which would hasten the flow of the economy and opportunities in Northern Mindanao.
In a separate speech during the distribution of aid to communities affected by El Niño held at the Pimentel Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos said P13 billion has been allotted for the improvement of Laguindingan Airport.
Other priority programs of the administration for the region include the P8-billion Panguil Bay Bridge project that would connect Tangub in Misamis Occidental and Tubod in Lanao del Norte; P2-billion Iligan City Coastal Bypass Road to ease traffic in the city; and the repairs on the CDO Coastal Road and CDO Diversion Road.
Marcos said the government is also undertaking the P700-million Cagayan de Oro Port Expansion Project which aims to ease port traffic and eventually lead to a more affordable and faster travel for people and delivery of products between Cagayan de Oro and the rest of Northern Mindanao.
He said the National Irrigation Administration is completing two solar pump irrigation projects in Salvador and Sapad totaling P30 million, while the government is constructing the Trauma and Multi-Specialty Centers at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center.
“We hope to turn the whole Region X into a ‘globally competitive’ and ‘leading agricultural hub,’ ‘major industrial, tourism, trade center,’” Marcos added.
As this developed, Marcos urged Filipinos to make use of social media in promoting all aspects of the country’s tourism industry.
The President said a simple social post about the products and services offered by the country’s micro-, small and medium enterprises to destinations in the country could help promote the country’s tourist attraction and reach a wider audience on social media.
He said Iligan City, for instance, is known for its toasted peanut and palapa and taking a photo of these items and posting them on social media could help promote them.
The President visited Region 10 yesterday to personally see the situation of those affected by the El Niño and led the distribution of P168.82 million worth of financial assistance and various government assistance to fisherfolk and farmers in Northern Mindanao.
