Seven seaport projects in Bohol inaugurated

TAGBILARAN CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, October 29, led the inauguration of seven completed seaport projects in Bohol province.

According to Duterte, the constructions and repairs done in the ports of Bohol will allow the province to accommodate more people and goods from neighboring provinces and contribute much to the province’s recovery from the pandemic.

He said Bohol, his grandmother’s birthplace, needs seaports to move.

“I am confident that these ports will strengthen the capacity of Bohol as a catalyst of economic growth in Central Visayas,” the country’s top official said.

The live streaming of Duterte’s speech in Bohol experienced a technical glitch.

Just 24 seconds into the President’s speech, the live streaming on the Facebook pages of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the RTVM went off the air.

Before the technical glitch, the President began his speech by saying he was looking for a beautiful woman.

“Sa tinuod lang, ganiha ko sigeg tan-aw, sigeg pangita og guwapa (Actually, I’ve been looking for a beautiful woman),” he said as the audience clapped and laughed.

When the live streaming came back, Duterte acknowledged the mayors’ present.

Duterte arrived at around 5 p.m. with Senator Bong Go at the Tagbilaran Port where he was met with heads of national agencies and provincial leaders. Some mayors also attended the event.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade introduced Duterte as “our leader, our inspiration, our support.”

Tugade said the seven seaports, namely the Ports of Tagbilaran, Jagna, Ubay, Tapal, Talibon, Loon, and Maribojoc, were improved, expanded, and developed to spur socio-economic activities which translate to more entrepreneurial activities and jobs, especially in the agricultural and tourism sectors — the main drivers of economic growth in Bohol.