PGMA renews call for unity
BACOLOD CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was guest of honor at the Best Public Practices Award 2009 of the Regional Development Council (RDC) yesterday called for unity and cooperation of every sector for the country to reach its goals.
In an ambush interview, the president said she is hoping for a concrete partnership of the government, private sector, non-governmental organization and even religious sector to promote progress of the city, province, region and the country as a whole.
“I hope that all sectors will all work together so that we can promote progress of the region, province and city,” Ms Arroyo stressed.
The president also said that everybody should stay resilient during this world economic crisis.
Arroyo arrived at the New Government Center (NGC) at around 10:30 a.m. and was officially welcomed by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, RDC chair Antique Gov. Salvacion Perez and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
She joined the awarding rites at the Grand Reception Hall of the NGC with Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco, Governor Perez and Mayor Leonardia.
After staying for 30 minutes, without having any speech delivered, she went to ‘The Ruins’ – a tourist attraction in Talisay City to take her lunch with the region’s officials.
As a policy, the president can only deliver one speech a day. She already rendered her speech to Mindoro people that’s why in Bacolod only personal appearance happened.
From the New Bacolod Silay Airport, Arroyo on board the presidential plane departed to Indonesia for an official travel.
Governor Salvacion Perez in her speech extended her heartfelt gratitude for the president’s presence at the awarding rites.
She also lauded Mayor Leonardia for hosting the affair at the “very beautiful New Government Center.”
Mayor Leonardia, on the other hand, reported to President Arroyo and officials of Western Visayas what happened to NGC since its conceptualization until its realization where it had become the target of his detractors, especially Congressman Monico Puentevella.
Leonardia said he is very happy because Arroyo is the very first president who visited the edifice after it was opened this year.
He also stressed that the doors of the NGC and even windows are open anytime for her, as he joined the entire Bacoleños and people of Negros Occidental in welcoming the president.
As a reaction, the president smiled while joining the crowd in applauding the mayor.
Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said though there was no concrete message or reaction from the president during her stay at the NGC, but her smile and happy face can be a witness that she was very impressed of the new structure, a structure of Bacolod’s excellence and victory despite the torpedoes as described by Mayor Leonardia before.