DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- The newly-constructed Port of Operations (POB) Building inside the Dumaguete Seaport Terminal and the newly-renovated Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport are tangible proof of the "Duterte Legacy" in Negros Oriental.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar highlighted this in his interview over local radio station DYGB Power 91 FM on Aug. 12 to raise awareness on Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s landmark achievements.

Andanar talked about the President’s accomplishments under his flagship infrastructure program dubbed “Build, Buld, Build” which includes the construction of the new seaport and airport terminals and the improvement of the existing facilities in the province. 

“Kinahanglan pod mahibal-an sa 'Build, Build, Build' na more than 451 seaports ug  214 airport projects ang nakumpleto. In fact, present ko diha pag-abre sa atong bag-ong seaport terminal diha sa Dumaguete. Present pod ko diha pag-inaugurate sa inyong bag-ong airport terminal (The public should know that there are 451 seaport terminals and 214 airport projects that have been completed under 'Build, Build, Build.' In fact, I was there during the inauguration and opening of the new seaport and airport in Dumaguete City)," Andanar said.

On March 11, Duterte together with some of his Cabinet secretaries including Andanar and Department of Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade attended the inauguration of the said facilities.

The new POB Building, which houses the Philippine Ports Authority office and other maritime government agencies and also serves as Seaport Terminal for passengers, is expected to accommodate around 500 passengers and raise P13 million for the government annually through passenger terminal fee collection.

It aims to enhance seamless connectivity among neighboring islands and promote vibrant trade which will result to more development in the countryside.

Meanwhile, the newly-renovated Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport aims to boost the province's tourism potential and pave the way for economic recovery here. 

Some of the improvements in the airport include the re-blocking of apron and construction of two taxiways, expansion of existing passenger terminal building, overlaying of asphalt on the runway and shoulder grade correction, and expansion of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Administrative Building.

Construction of the new POB building is pegged at P114 million while the improvements at the Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport cost about P258 million.

The PCOO chief also said the country has gained more in terms of infrastructure development under the current administration.

“Ang legasiya ni Presidente pag-abot sa 'Build,Build, Build' program, kinahanglan masayran sa ato kababayan. More than 29,000 kms of road ang na-build sa ato administrasyon. Kinahanglan pod nila mahibal-an na more than 5,900 bridges ang nakumpleto sa administrasyon (The public should know the accomplishments of our President under his 'Build, Build, Build' Program. More than 29,000 kms of roads have been constructed and more than 5,900 bridges have been completed under this administration),” Andanar said.

He said the goal of every government administration is to make the lives of people “better than yesterday” and the Duterte administration has built on the gains made during the previous administration while implementing more initiatives and measures to attain this goal. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)