Meeting with Local Leaders and the Community in Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur (Speech) 4/22/2013

Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur
22 April 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with local leaders and the community of Marawi City to warn them against candidates who use the government's Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4P's) to threaten 94,230 registered program beneficiaries in the province off the list if they vote against them.

"Kung meron man pong sisindak sa inyo rito; hindi po yun totoo, at wala silang kakayahang gawin ito. Ang maganda: Huwag niyo na silang iboto, nang pirming hindi na sila makaupo sa puwesto," he said.

The President added that electing efficient local leaders of the community is the key to transform national programs into tangible solutions that the locality will benefit from, especially in achieving the overall development of the country.

"Bilang unang takbuhan ng ating mamamayan, may pambihirang papel ang lokal na pamahalaan upang ipadama ang mga positibong nakakamit natin sa pambansang antas. Isipin po ninyo: Lalong uunlad ang industriya dito ng cassava, saging, mais at palay, kapag nakikipagtulungan ang inyong mga pinuno sa pagpapagawa ng mga farm-to-market road sa inyong probinsya," he added.

President Aquino also cited several ongoing government projects in the province such as the Marawi-Malabang Road and the rehabilitation of the Angus Bridge II. He also mentioned the government's plan to create Lanao Lake Circumferential Road where parts of it will construct the Marawi-Masiu-Bayang road.

The President also said that the region has a huge potential in developing its tourism capability, citing the region's improvement of its domestic tourism from 20,000 to 45,000. He added that with the help of local officials in developing the region's tourism industry, it would result to job generation for the local people.

In closing, the President reminded them, "hindi natin maipapangako nasa atin ang lahat ng sagot sa problema. Pero kung walang nagpapabigat sa pinapasan nating mga suliranin, mas malaking hakbang ang kaya nating gawin, at matatayog na mithiin ang kaya nating abutin."

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