Gov. Arthur Yap paid tribute to the late President Benigno “PNoy” SimeonAquino III over the weekend by thanking the latter for legacy projects his administration implemented in the Province of Bohol.
“Bol-anons are many things. Most of all, we are a grateful people especially to those who have helped us in the past. One of those people who helped us is President Aquino,” Yap said.
In 2013, Bohol suffered great infrastructure destruction when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the province.
Several government buildings, national heritage churches, bridges and private edifices were destroyed due to the earthquake.
The late former President Aquino was quick to visit Bohol within 24 hours of the disaster surveying the destruction with key cabinet officials, He vowed to set aside government funds for the reconstruction of the affected areas here in Bohol, according to reports.
“Bohol will never forget the Bohol Emergency Assistance Projects or BEA projects, without which many of our important cultural properties and heritage churches, roads, bridges, municipal halls, and evacuation centers, will not have been restored and rehabilitated after the earthquake. This we owe to the Aquino Administration” Yap continued.
Moreover, Yap also thanked PNoy, as he was fondly called, for sustaining the work that led to the completion of the Bohol Panglao International Airport.
The 7 billion peso landmark project that can accommodate at least 2 million passengers annually was started in the time of his mother, President Cory Aquino.
It was at that time when the land acquisitions for the airport started, reports bare.
According to reports, critical NatIonal Economic Development Authority (NEDA) approval for overseas development assistance (ODA) funding was secured during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
More land acquisitions followed during PNoy’s time, reports add.
The detailed engineering and financial studies were then completed which led to the full development and completion of the airport in the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
PNoy’s remains were kept in the Church of the Jesu in the Ateneo De Manila University where he graduated with an Economics Degree.
His sister, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, intimated that PNoy hoped that people will remember him after his term ended.
Yap opined that: “People are easily vilified in life. Only History can give us the lens to clearly see the true measure of what we have achieved in life.
President Aquino need not worry that people will not remember him especially in Bohol. We will not forget what he did for us when we were down. Salamat PNoy.”