DOTr Asec Vingson visits Zambo

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANT Secretary Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. called on Mayor Beng Climaco during a recent visit in Zamboanga City.

 Mayor Beng Climaco poses with the group of Secretary DOTr Assistant Secretary Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. who was recently in Zamboanga City. (Bong Serondo)

Vingson was accompanied by Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao Commandant Commodore Luisito Sibayan and other personnel. They also held a meeting at City Hall. 

Climaco thanked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under Secretary Arthur Tugade and President Rodrigo Duterte for many infrastructure projects in Zamboanga City under the government’s flagship Build, Build, Build program. 

“The City is starting to reap economic, employment, and tourism opportunities with upgraded and improved airport and seaport facilities which were unveiled in December 2021 by President Duterte and Transportation Secretary Art Tugade,” the mayor said. 

Climaco was referring to Duterte’s inauguration of several DOTr projects here. The mayor personally welcomed the president and thanked him 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, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, 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, Zamboanga Post)