To help boost regional development

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte in Cordova City, Cebu for the inauguration of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) at the CCLEX Toll Plaza on Wednesday, April 27.

Expected to be one of Cebu’s iconic landmarks, the CCLEX is an 8.9-kilometer road that would link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island through the town of Cordova.

The CCLEX, developed by the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), is anticipated to serve at least 50,000 vehicles daily given its design speed of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour (kph), significantly helping decongest traffic in the area.

One of the major infrastructure projects under the Duterte Administration, the CCLEX is also expected to create more economic opportunities for the province and the Visayas.

In his speech during the inauguration, President Duterte thanked the late Cordova mayor and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office secretary Adelino “Addy” Sitoy for their huge support for the project, saying, “The third bridge that connects to Cebu was made possible because their vision and aspirations were for the people of Cordova, and maybe for all.”

The President then congratulated CCLEC and the provincial government of Cebu for completing the CCLEX despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“Your support for this administration’s goal to boost regional development, provide a comfortable life for every Filipino, and realize our vision to be a strongly connected nation is truly commendable. While your hardwork and dedication to ensure the completion of this monumental task are equally note-worthy,” Duterte remarked.

“It is also an opportune and relevant time to inaugurate the CCLEX as it coincides with the celebration of our ancestor’s victory in Mactan of more than 500 years ago… The state-of-art infrastructure will provide a solution to the perennial traffic issues of Metro Cebu,” he continued.

Go likewise congratulated Cebuanos for achieving two milestones as it consequently celebrated the 501st anniversary celebration of the Victory of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City and the inauguration of CCLEX.

Earlier that day, the senator was also with the President for the commemoration of the historical event that demonstrated the bravery and courage of Lapu-Lapu against the Spaniards. The ceremony was held at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. The event likewise marks the closing of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Go reiterated that he will continue to support more infrastructure initiatives that would benefit the nation and would promote more sustainable economic opportunities across the country.

The senator has been supporting various infrastructure initiatives of the government throughout different regions in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance to help provide more livelihood prospects for more Filipinos.

“Isa na naman pong proyekto ang nagtapos sa Build, Build, Build program at ito po ay aking ikinatutuwa dahil inaasahan ko na napakaraming Pilipino ang matutulungan nito. Sabi nga, tayo ay nasa Golden Age of Infrastructure ng bansa!,” expressed Go.

“Pero higit pa rito, tugma ito sa layunin natin na maramdaman sa bawat sulok ng bansa ang mga magagandang programa at proyekto ng gobyerno upang maisakatuparan ang pangako ni Pangulong Duterte na mabigyan ng mas komportableng buhay ang bawat Pilipino,” he added.

He then urged the next administration to continue and pursue further the Build, Build, Build program as he reiterated how it has notably given Filipinos the comfortable life they truly deserve.

“Kahit na po patapos na ang termino ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy ko pa rin po susuportahan ang mga inisyatiba ng gobyerno lalo na kung ito ay magpapabilis sa serbisyo at makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Basta para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino, ipaglalaban ko ito,” Go reassured.

“Nakita naman po natin na sa anim na taon na pamumuno ni Pangulong Duterte, pag-aangat ng buhay ng Pilipino ang kaniyang pangunahing agenda. Kaya naman aking ipagpapatuloy ito at sana po ito rin ay ipagpatuloy ng susunod na administrasyon,” he appealed.