Pres. Aquino reminds politicians to do their jobs first before campaigning

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial distribution of Assault Rifles to the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Navy (PN) Marine troops at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters Canopy at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday (August 14). One of the major programs of the AFP Modernization is to upgrade the mission-essential capability requirements of the AFP in terms of firepower for the ground troops. Also in photo are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday reminded politicians to do their jobs first before conducting early campaign.

“Mga kasama, ‘pag nagbabasa tayo ng dyaryo araw-araw, tila marami nang nangangampanya (It seems that when we read newspapers everyday, we get to see a lot of politicians already campaigning),” the President said in his speech during the inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge at Barangay San Luis, Tuao, Cagayan.

“Parang nakalimutan nila may problema tayo ngayon. Meron namang problema sa 2016 na eleksyon ‘di ba. 2016 na iyon, ngayon tugunan muna natin iyong problemang bumabalot sa atin pong sambayanan dahil obligasyon natin, maski saan tayong panig (They seem to have forgotten that there are problems that still need to be addressed at present. Election is still far… 2016. Today, let’s respond first to the needs and problems affecting our people no matter what political party you belong),” he noted.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the P599.4-million infrastructure project involved the construction of a permanent bridge across the Chico River — directly connecting the eastern and western barangays of Tuao — two smaller bridges, and a road network component.

Apart from serving as an inter-regional link among Regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Lacierda said, the project also provides additional access to tourist destinations and ensures the safer movement of goods and people, thus contributing to socio-economic growth.

“As has been the trend recently, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) again generated savings — P33.7 million for this project — through a more efficient and transparent bidding process,” he said.

Originally conceived in 1968, the inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge comes in time for the upcoming death anniversary of its namesake, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whose sacrifices the country commemorates on August 21.