Aquino pours more projects into Apayao

LUNA, Apayao—Votes cast here had not been kind to President Aquino in 2007 when he ran for senator and in 2010 when he won the presidency, but it was no reason not to bring development to this remote Cordillera province.

That’s the point the President tried to drive home on Wednesday when he visited Apayao for the first time.

Addressing 5,000 officials and residents at the Bienvenido Versola Jr. Memorial Sports Complex, Mr. Aquino said: “When I assumed the presidency, I made sure no one was left behind regardless of whether they voted for me or not. Because you are my boss.”

He first made references to his lackluster political value in Apayao in his last State of the Nation Address (Sona) in July. In his Sona, he boasted about the resources poured into Apayao, a province that requires a 14-hour travel from Manila.

“I was only 20th in the senatorial election in 2007 and only 4th in the presidential election in 2010. But given all the infrastructure we have built, I do not think anyone can say that you aren’t in the hearts of the Filipino people. You yourselves have witnessed that when it comes to projects, our basis is need, not votes,” he had said.