100 solons inspect North Luzon road projects

CONGRESSMEN embarked Thursday on what they described as a six-day inspection of infrastructure projects in Northern Luzon.

However, the itinerary for the road trip includes sightseeing, rest and recreation and even yachting.

As of Wednesday, at least 100 lawmakers had signed up for the trip, which Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas organized. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he would join the group.

Their first stop was Agoo, La Union, where they were set to have lunch at the Thunderbird casino-resort. Alvarez also administered the oath of new members of PDP-Laban at the resort.

The group was also set to visit the Mediterranean-styled Vitalis resort in Santiago, Ilocos Sur, where they were supposed to spend the night. Their host was Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, reportedly the owner of the resort.

Today, lawmakers will head for Laoag, where Fariñas would host lunch. In the afternoon, they are scheduled to visit Ilocos Norte’s sand dunes and may try off-roading activities. They would spend the night at Hannah’s resort, care of Fariñas.

Tomorrow they will go to Isabela, Banaue and Quirino, where their host is Rep. Dakila Cua.

Sunday will see the group going to the rice terraces after breakfast, then to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, where they would have lunch, then to Ambuklao for snacks courtesy of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. Their final destination is Baguio City, where they would have dinner at the Speaker’s cottage.

On Monday, the lawmakers will go to Dagupan City, where the De Venecias will be their lunch hosts. They will head to Manaoag church for mass or prayers before proceeding to Subic, where their activities include “yachting/cruise.”

On Tuesday, the group will go to Bataan, where they would have lunch at the Las Casas resort of billionaire businessman-contractor-home builder Jose Acuzar. The lawmakers will spend the night at Fontana Resort in Clark.

Motorcycle-riding policemen are escorting the lawmakers, who are bringing with them their own bodyguards and personal vehicles. Some have their staff in tow.