Press Release
March 18, 2010

SEN. BONG REVILLA CALLS ON THE GOVT TO SPEND MORE
ON CARAGA INFRA PROJECTS

BUTUAN CITY - Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. today said infrastructure development is the solution to Caraga's long battle in poverty as he called on the government to increase spending in road projects, communications and transportation to boost growth in the region.

"I believe that infrastructure development is the foundation of growth. It played an important role in poverty reduction by giving people an access to better opportunity," the senator said during his one-day visit in Agusan del Sur.

In a recent study, Caraga was recorded among the country's poorest regions, with 52.6 percent of its population falling below the poverty line. The region has five provinces - Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Island.

Bong Revilla observed that lack of good road network deprived the residents here of economic opportunities.

According to the senator, Caraga has abundant agricultural crops and blessed with natural resources.

"Their crops and products could not reach the markets outside the region because their farm-to-market roads here are not in good condition," the senator cited.

He added that investments, which generate jobs, bypassed regions or countries with inadequate and poor infrastructure.

In a study made by the National Economic and Development Administration (NEDA), it has identified that infrastructure is one of the problems in Caraga that should be addressed by the national government.

He revealed that the funds that local governments are getting for infrastructure projects are not enough to sustain the development in the provinces.

According to Bong Revilla, poverty reduction is possible through an improved road projects, communications and transportations because they set conducive investment climate, which will result to availability of jobs and livelihood for the people.

"It also improved social growth as people will have access to better education and health services - two of the basic services that people need," he added.

The senator, being aware of the importance of infrastructure development in economic and social growth, had passed 83 public works laws during the 13th and 14th Congress.

These laws gave way to improvement of roads in the countryside.

News Latest News Feed