Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno (left) poses with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia (center) and Rep. Pablo John Garcia (right) when he visited Cebu on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (DALE ISRAEL/INQUIRER VISAYAS)
CEBU CITY — Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno promised to pour in mega infrastructures for the Visayas if elected president in 2022.
Moreno, who visited at least three towns in Cebu province on Friday, said there is a need to put up bridges that will connect the main islands in the Visayas, including Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Panay, Leyte, and Samar.
“It’s a matter of priority or dedication on the part of the national government,” he said.
Moreno said that since 35 percent of international tourists are in Cebu, the island province should be given more infrastructures and bridges which would connect to other areas in the Visayas.
He recalled that when he visited the western town of Dumanjug, he saw that the island of Negros is so near and even the island of Panay. He said the bridges are feasible.
“If we connect the islands in the Visayas, it’s not only Luzon which is the economic center. The Visayas too will become an economic center.“
The final stop of Moreno’s visit to Cebu on Friday was a courtesy call to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol in Cebu City. Throughout the day, however, Moreno was accompanied by Garcia’s brother, Rep. Pablo John Garcia, when the mayor visited the towns of Barili, Dumanjug, and Moalboal.
At the Capitol, Rep. Pablo John Garcia said that although One Cebu Party will only be announcing their choice for national candidates after November 15, they will “seriously consider” Moreno as One Cebu candidate for President.
“I would not have been in Barili or Dumanjug with him if we are not seriously considering Yorme (Moreno) as the One Cebu candidate for President of the Philippines,” said Congressman Garcia who is also the secretary general of the One Cebu Party.
Moreno is the only candidate for President that Pablo John accompanied in the towns during a Cebu visit. Other candidates, including Panfilo Lacson and Bongbong Marcos, also made courtesy calls to Governor Garcia.
“Let us just wait for November 15 and One Cebu will make its choice,” Pablo John said.
Governor Garcia, for her part, toured Isko at the Capitol, including the balcony where they pose for the number One hand sign used by Isko in his sorties. The “One sign” is also used by One Cebu Party since it was created in 2007.
On Saturday, Moreno will be in the towns of Cordova and in Cebu City, where he will meet with Business Process Outsourcing workers at the Cebu Business Park.