‘DEBT REPAID’: Drilon says two Iloilo projects are his political ‘swan songs’

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Senator Franklin Drilon on Monday, April 25, 2022, touted the projects he pushed for in the city and province of Iloilo as his swan songs before he retires from politics.

A swan song is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement.

During the groundbreaking of the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard, Drilon noted how he was still able to deliver projects under the Duterte administration’s “Build Build Build” program despite being the Senate Minority Leader.

He cited that in the Benigno Aquino III administration, big-ticket projects poured in the city and province of Iloilo, starting with the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II.

“I have been in the opposition for six years, but having said that, if there is any policy of this administration which I concur with, it would be the ‘Build Build Build’ program. I support this program because even before this present administration came into being in 2016, we already conceived and implemented the same framework,” the senator said.

“Twelve years after we started the big-ticket items in Iloilo, [it] is now the center of commerce, progress, and sustainable development.”

Drilon said the projects that he brought to Iloilo were payment for the debt of gratitude he believes he owes to the people for supporting his 33-year political career.

He also thanked local officials who have supported him along the way, including Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., who were present during the event.

“We do hope we could leave all of these projects as our legacy. This is the payment of my debt to Iloilo and my kasimanwas for their support,” he said.

“As I am about to end my term, I can say with pride that I have done my share in developing Iloilo. We could not have achieved all of this without the cooperation of each and every one of you, but more importantly of our partners in local government led by [Defensor] and [Treñas]. This is our strength as Ilonggos, the ability to work together, on something bigger than ourselves,” Drilon added as he ended his speech.

Iloilo Sunset Boulevard spans 7 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide and starts from Brgy. Tabucan in Mandurriao district to Brgy. Pakiad in Oton town. It is valued at P1.4 billion.

While the formal turning of the sod was held on Monday, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) billboard in the area indicated that landfilling started in September 2021.

The DPWH billboard also indicated that the boulevard, which also includes an Esplanade-like sidewalk and a bike lane, is expected to be completed in March 2023.

Drilon also graced the topping out and drive-through ceremony of the 453-meter, P629-million Ungka II Flyover along the boundary between Iloilo City and Pavia town, which is seen to cut travel time to the Iloilo International Airport by 20 minutes.

DPWH-region 6 Director Tiburcio Canlas told the media that the flyover is expected to be inaugurated to public road traffic within the year.

Drilon has been in public service since 1987, being appointed by the late former President Corazon Aquino as Executive Secretary, as well as holding the Labor and Justice portfolios of her Cabinet. He also served the latter portfolio in the Ramos administration.

He first stepped into electoral politics as Senator from 1995 to 2007, and again elected in 2010 and 2016.