Rep. Mikey Arroyo boosts socio-economic programs in Pampanga

CLARK FREEPORT, Sept. 10 (PNA) -- Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo of the 2nd District of Pampanga expressed optimism that his socio-economic, livelihood programs and social services would be of great impact to his constituents.

Guesting in Sonny Lopez’s Action Central Luzon Special Edition aired on PEP TV Channel 3 over the weekend, Arroyo cited, among others, the various projects and programs he has initiated and those which are now being undertaken.

The presidential son enumerated some of his social projects: skills trainings for waiters, mechanical technicians, hairdressers, caterers, coffee makers, among others.

The social project he intends to promote is also in preparation for the entry of more industrial and tourism-related projects inside this freeport zone.

Since President Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, investors gained confidence in Clark due to the sound economic policies implemented, not only for Clark, but also throughout the country.

The young Arroyo also said that declaration of Clark as freeport zone also contributed in the entry of more local and foreign investors here, that’s why among the projects and programs he is pursuing are on skills developmental.

He added that he also has various programs on agriculture and technical skills development.

According to Arroyo, his District Office also gives social services as there is a regular People’s Day there.

“There goes a saying that we must not only give the poor people fish but we must teach them how to fish. For me, we must not only teach them how to fish or give them knowledge to make a living but also give them something for their immediate concern,” he explained.

In the same interview, Arroyo also bared some of his disaster mitigating projects for his district: upgrading of the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo (GSO) road; upgrading and concreting of the Guagua Central Business District; slope protection of Sapang Maragul and desilting of the Porac Gumain River.

He said that he has been pressing for the continuous dredging of the Guagua Pasac River as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo already has instructions to further intensify dredging of the major waterway.

The congressman said continuous and intensive engineering intervention in the major river and tributaries would greatly alleviate heavy floods in business centers in Guagua, Lubao, Floridablanca and Sasmuan.

He noted Guagua town is almost flat and is suitable to any phase of development: agricultural, industrial, commercial and others but is only a meter above sea level. He added that it is traversed by several creeks and tributaries during rainy days, which collect and convey floodwater to the Pampanga River and into the Manila Bay.

The towns in Pampanga’s Second District, namely Porac, Sta. Rita, Floridablanca, Lubao, Guagua and Sasmuan are critically adjacent to the most active mudflow and flood channels from the Pinatubo areas. (PNA)