Duterte inspects Zambo projects

ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte arrived late Thursday afternoon in this southern city and inaugurated various projects at the Port of Zamboanga.

President Duterte unveils a market during the DOTr presentation at the Port of Zamboanga.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade briefs President Duterte on the accomplished projects as Mayor Beng Climaco listens.

Duterte, accompanied by Senator Bong Go, was briefed by Secretary Arthur Tugade, of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), at the port. Duterte also looked at photographs of completed and current projects of the DOTr before proceeding to a hall where government officials led by Mayor Beng Climaco were waiting. 

Climaco, who welcomed the president, was the first to speak and she thanked Duterte for all infrastructure projects the national government poured not only in Zamboanga, but other parts of the Western Mindanao region. 

The mayor, the current chairperson of the Regional Development Council and Regional Peace and Order Council, also asked Duterte to retain or add more security forces in Zamboanga following the 2013 siege by Moro National Liberation Front members loyal to Nur Misuari. The siege lasted several weeks and displaced nearly 300,000 people.

Climaco, now on her third and last term, nearly broke down at the end of her speech while praising Duterte’s leadership and thanking him for all his support to Zamboanga under her administration. 

Tugade said with the completed works, the Port of Zamboanga can now accommodate 3,500 passengers at any given time and even surpass the passenger capacity of the Port of Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao. “Development projects at the port include the establishment of an inclusive prayer room, food court, and elevators,” he said. 

Duterte also unveiled a marker during Tugade's presentation. 

Tugade said the Port of Zamboanga developments are envisioned not only to enhance and address maritime mobility and connectivity in the province and nearby areas but to serve as a catalyst for socio-economic, tourism, and livelihood opportunities in the entire Mindanao region. (Mindanao Examiner)