Pres. Aquino In Cebu For Turnover Of Educational, Historical Infra

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III is in Cebu today for the turnover of educational and historical sites.

For his first visit in Cebu this year, the President will witness the turnover of a four-storey school building at Guadalupe Elementary School in Brgy. Guadalupe, the biggest barangay in Cebu City.

The 20-classroom school building is funded by the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Dr. Nestor Arandia, Guadalupe school principal, said the school building can occupy at least 1,000 students, all of whom are in Grade 5.

It has eight comfort rooms, two on each floor.

Pres. Aquino will be received by Arandia and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

The President will have a tour and inspection of the school building prior to the formal turnover and program.

During the program, Pres. Aquino will be briefed by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson on updates of the ongoing major infrastructure projects in the province.

There will also be testimonies from the beneficiaries of three recently completed projects, namely: Mactan Circumferential Road, new Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), and the Sitio Electrification Project (SEP).

Arandia said the classes of school children will not be disrupted during the President’s arrival.

Afterwards, Aquino will then proceed to inspect the completed rehabilitation of three historical sites which were affected during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013.

These include Fort San Pedro and the Basilica del Santo Nino at the adjacent Magellan’s Cross.

He will arrive at Fort San Pedro past three in the afternoon and will have an inspection of the complete renovation and strengthening of the entire infrastructure.

During the inspection, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Secretary Maria Serena Diokno will give a briefing on the applied rehabilitation works.

Pres. Aquino’s party will then proceed to Basilica Minore del Santo Nino for the turnover of the major repair and rehabilitation works done on the church’s belfry, fence, and the Magellan’s Cross.

He will be welcomed by the church officials led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who will conduct the blessing of the Magellan’s Cross before the program.

Prior to the program there will also be a signing of the Certificates of Transfer from NHCP to the Basilica officials.

The President is also expected to give a speech in said affair.

Aquino’s last event of the day is to attend a political rally at Mandaue City Sports Complex at 5:00 p.m.

Cabinet members accompanying Pres. Aquino include Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Emilio Andaya, PAGCOR Chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr., National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC) Chairman Jose Eliseo Rocamora, Department of Social Welfare Secretary (DSWD) Dinky Soliman, and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)