Board member Benjie Arcamo said if he gets an opportunity to pitch a project to Bohol visitor President Marcos Jr., he will try to endorse the building of the iconic 3rd bridge connecting Dauis and Tagbilaran City.
He said this during his guest appearance on Ardy Araneta-Batoy’s Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on June 26, 2024.
It may be unclear if Marcos could listen to proposals, but in a hypothetical scenario that he is able to pitch a project, the first item he would suggest is the completion of the 3rd bridge.
The importance of the 3rd bridge was obvious during the African Swine Fever (ASF)-lockdown back in April 2024, where traffic at the two bridges connecting Tagbilaran and Dauis is simply horrible.
“Nakahinanglan gyud na ug suporta sa dakong tawo na,” Arcamo said referring to the 3rd bridge.
(It needs the support of a top official.)
The completion of the 3rd bridge has stalled due to funding challenges. Early on, the said bridge is supposed to be funded with budget coming from
China, but as Philippines-China relations has gone sour, the prospect of funding has disintegrated.
Aside from the hard project, Arcamo wants the President to address the high inflation as process in Bohol are constantly on the rise.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported the May 2024 headline inflation at 5.1%.
Nonetheless, he wants to thank Marcos Jr. for visiting Bohol and the aid he will distribute to beneficiaries.
He expressed elation on the fact indigent beneficiaries will receive aid from the president.
Meanwhile, Arcamo said that the suspended officials of Bohol are not able to attend the Marcos visit in an official capacity.
They, however, could meet in a private venue, he said.
As this pans out, Acting Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite is going to meet with the president at the CPG Sports Complex.
No probe yet on AICS controversy at SP
Board member Benjie Arcamo said the Committee of the Whole of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has not called a meeting to probe the controversy surrounding the alleges slashing of the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Arcamo said this during his guest appearance in Newsmakers ug Uban Pa, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy on June 26, 2024.
To recall, the said controversy led to the termination of suspended Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado’s executive assistants, Nelson Pon and Carolyn Maniwang.
The controversy stems from allegations that the P10,000 AICS benefits were allegedly slashed.
It has been weeks since Board Member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang gave a privilege speech about the controversy and Arcamo said no meeting has been conducted to probe the allegations.
The acting Vice Gov. Tita Baja is supposed to call for a meeting to probe the controversy.
Netizens have been asking what has happened to the investigation into the controversy, which has affected individuals who are in a crisis situation and in need of financial help.
Some observers want to get the details on the exact reason for Pon and Maniwang’s termination from the Capitol.
Arcamo said if Baja would not act on the matter, Boniel-Maglasang will stand anew to ask about the progress of her earlier privilege speech and make Baja account when the matter would be given attention.
Arcamo said the delay in the discussion on the matter might paint the administration of the province in a bad light.