Balamban folks talk of Aquino gov’t gains

TWO Cebuanos were asked to share their views on how the Aquino administration improved the lives of people in their community in a live TV discussion with government channel IBC 13 minutes before President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Councilor Dave John Karamihan of Balamban town said Cebu’s ship-building industry was cited in the Sona along with the province’s status as the most gender-sensitive local government unit (LGU).

At least three women-welders, including Yuge Cuizon, worked at the town’s ship-building industry led by the Japanese Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu Inc.

Cuizon  shared her experience as lead person in the shipbuilding company.

Karamihan said Cebu became one of the top four shipbuilding economies in the world during the Aquino administration, on par with China, South Korea and Japan.

He said Cebu had taken over the position formerly occupied by European countries.

He said Tsuneishi pays about P2 billion a year to its 14,000 skilled workers and contributes P348 million in taxes to the national government and another P100 million in local taxes.

“This is considered an achievement of the current presidency because of the continued growth of the shipbuilding industry,” Karamihan said.

The pre-shipbuilding discussion was set up by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

PIA in Central Visayas set up their live remote point in front of the Magellan’s Cross at the Plaza Sugbu in Cebu City. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac