Infra projects should bring progress to rural areas –Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday that the government should invest in infrastructure projects that would spur development in rural areas.

"Allocating funds for such projects should not be Manila-centric. When it comes to infrastructure, I am okay with Build, Build, Build. But this should prioritize infrastructure projects that will spur regional development. More often than not, the problem starts when there is an uneven distribution of development," Robredo said during a visit to Iloilo city.

"Infrastructure projects should be subjected to a cost-benefit approach. Who will benefit from the projects? If these are bridges, roads, those in rural areas should benefit from these. If a bridge is built to connect Guimaras to other areas, how would this benefit Guimaras? This would help the farmers of Guimaras to easily transport and sell their produce at a lesser cost. This should be the approach," Robredo added.

If elected president, Robredo said she would ensure that this would be achieved.

"We will make sure that those farmers who lack access to these kinds of services will be able to access such benefits, and that there will be equity in development," she added.

‘Magrespetuhan ng pagkakaiba ng pananaw’

As this developed, Robredo also appealed to individuals who favor other candidates to not resort to removing tarpaulins expressing support for her presidential bid and that of her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

Robredo said this happened ahead of her recent visit to Masbate province.

"Before we arrived, iyong pinagpaguran nila na mga tarpaulin ay tinanggal. Sa akin, hindi lang nakakalungkot, pero nakakagalit for our volunteers kasi hindi galing sa main iyong tarpaulins, pinagkakagastusan niyan ng volunteers," Robredo said.

(The tarpaulins that they made effort to put were removed. We are sad and share the anger of the volunteers because it is the volunteers who shelled their money for that.)

"Pakiusap ko lang, magrespetuhan ng pagkakaiba ng pananaw. Sana wala ng ganun," Robredo added.

(I appeal for respect in having different beliefs. I hope it won't happen again.)

— DVM, GMA News