MORE NEWS, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

MP gov ‘first’ among Cordi execs in showing support to PGMA
By Roger Sacyaten

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial governor may have shown the first verbal show of support to President Macapagal Arroyo amid the series of alleged anomalies hounding the First Family and other government officials.

“Never in the history of the province had there been a president as supportive as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” said Gov. Maximo Dalog when interviewed to gauge his sentiments on political developments in the country.

Criticisms on alleged corruption in the national government have besieged the administration as calls for her resignation are still mounting. In a statement of support to the administration dated Feb. 14 and sent to Malacanang and the League of Provinces of the Philippines, Dalog said that the administration must get the firm support of the officialdom and people of Mountain Province now more than ever.”

He said the President is capable of administering the affairs of the government as manifested by the robust economy and the implementation of developmental programs and projects in the province.

Dalog said the national government has heeded the pleas of Mountain Province officials for improvement of the roads leading to and from the province. Recently, more than P3 billion pesos have been allotted to improve the Mt. Data to Bontoc Phase II of the Halsema Highway, the Bontoc-Banaue Phase 3, and the Bontoc-Kalinga road. Works on all are ongoing.

The Cervantes-Sabangan is also being improved on the roads leading to this hinterland province and connecting the Cordillera region to the Ilocos. “Once completed we expect tremendous progress in tourist arrivals and economic boom for our people in the province”, Dalog said, adding the province could graduate from “Club 20” group of poorest provinces in the country.

Dalog, who is chairman of the Regional Development Council said “dark forces” working against the administration may soon realize that unity and solidarity of the officialdom and entire citizenry is needed for the country to progress.

In related developments, the chief executive of the province convened a two-day barangay consultation in the capital town to be abreast with the pulse of the grassroots on the latest political and economic developments in the province and countr