by CHARISSA M. LUCI (Manila Bulletin)
Malacañang Friday took a hard stance on the television advertisement of Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III alleging the Arroyo government’s failure to build key infrastructures, including roads and health facilities due to corruption.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Charito Planas belied Aquino’s ad message, noting that under Mrs. Arroyo’s leadership, more than 48,585 kilometers of national roads have been constructed, improved and rehabilitated compared to only 34, 326 kilometers of roads built in the 14 ½ years spanning the previous administrations.
She noted that in a year, 5, 114 kilometers of roads have been built under the Arroyo administration.
“President Arroyo may truly be called an infrastructure icon. The Arroyo administration has made great leaps in progress in terms of infrastructure, linking supply chains from ports to commercial and trading centers and economic zones,” Planas said.
She said the recent implementation of the LRT Line 1 North Extension/ Closing the Loop Project proved the government’s sincerity to stimulate positive economic growth as well as to deliver better services to the public.
Planas said the completed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the ongoing North Luzon Expressway-C5-South Luzon Expressway Link Project, Southern Luzon Expressway improvement and the four-lane 42 km Southern Tagalog Arterial Road Tollway are among the government’s achievements in the area of infrastructures.
She also explained that under the leadership of President Arroyo, billions have been spent to upgrade heath care facilities, including Basic Emergency Obstetric Newborn Care, (BEmONC) and hospitals.
In 2009, the President provided P2.76 billion to upgrade 256 health facilities, which include 120 BEmONC facilities, 133 hospitals and three specialized health service centers.
“As a result of this progress and other projects implemented by the Arroyo administration, life expectancy has improved, infant and child mortality rates have gone down and maternal mortality has lessened,” Planas said.
She also expressed the government’s commitment to improve and promote public health, citing that as of Jan. 14, there are 14, 465 Botika ng Barangay nationwide that offer up to 40 essential drugs
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