LA PRESIDENTA IN ZAMBOANGA

 

La Presidenta in Zamboanga

 

 

Never been this ecstatic. The President poses with PM Miole and PMO-Zamboanga personnel.

A historic day. Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, assisted by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat and District Manager Sak Sawdjaan; meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Port Manager Nilo Miole  look on.

 

 

Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently visited Port of Zamboanga as her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo graciously walked on the newly-expanded back-up area of the facility to inaugurate the port expansion project. As the highest official of the Philippines waved, smiled, and said her hellos to excited Zamboangueños and guests, PPA officials Sak Sawadjaan (PDO-Somin District Manager), and Nilo Miole (PMO-Zamboanga Port Manager) were thankful that everything came together perfectly, even if the PMO was given only two days to prepare for the event.

 

The project truly calls for the gracious hands of her Excellency in its inauguration, as it costs a whopping Php717.47 million total. Consisting of two construction stages, Phase I amounted to Php283.23 million, completed in January 2005; while Phase II amounted to Php434.24, and was completed recently, in January this year.

 

 

 

The project is expected to rake in revenue for the Zamboanga port as it has made the facility truly capable of being an ASEAN gateway; with the 270-linear-meter reinforced concrete wharf, 1.8-hectare backup area, improved drainage system and new port lighting facilities now available to welcome foreign and domestic vessels in its berths.

 

On top of the project inauguration, PGMA presented freed kidnapped teachers Janette de los Reyes, Raphael Mayonado and Freires Quizon to the media. The teachers were taken captive in Landuang Gua Island in January 23 and were released four months later, May 26.   

 

La Presidenta also administered the Oath of Office to new Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao, Crisanto "Monsi" dela Cruz. (By Karen K. Rivero)