INTRODUCTION
On this penultimate day of 1994, I can think of no better way to round out the many bounties 1994 has brought than for us to gather here to mark two important occasions — the inauguration of the C-5 road project and groundbreaking for the 100-bed Tagig-Pateros District Hospital.

I am certain these two noteworthy government projects shall significantly add to our people’s store of Christmas and New Year cheer.
RIZAL DAY AND OUR DRIVE FOR PROGRESS
It is also auspicious that we usher in these projects today, when we also celebrate Rizal Day, in commemoration of the martyrdom, 98 years ago, of our esteemed national hero.

To me, this is a most fitting way to celebrate Rizal Day by continuing to undertake deeds of nation-building such as that we do here now.

We can gain inspiration from Rizal’s own counsel. Projecting his vision in his memorable essay, “the Philippines a century hence”, Dr. Rizal saw our generation thus:

“Very likely, the Philippines will defend with inexpressible valor the liberty secured at the price of so much blood and sacrifice. With the new men that will spring from its soil and with the recollection of their past, they will perhaps strive to enter freely upon the wide road of progress, and all will labor together to strengthen their fatherland, both internally and externally…”

Indeed, no greater homage can we pay our national hero than to strive and work today for the fulfillment of his dream of a great Philippines.
THE C-5 PROJECT
The C-5 project represents one of our big steps in moving closer to our present-day goal of a truly modernized Philippines.

It is one of the largest road projects that ever undertaken in our country and attains more significance because it goes through the heart of Metro Manila.

In the beginning, many sectors doubted that this project could be completed at all, because the obstacles it faced were formidable and daunting, especially because of squatters and right-of-way problems.

However, I did not lose faith in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as to its capability to open it to traffic on Rizal Day.

This project can therefore serve as a lesson to all of us. We can do great things if we forsake negative attitudes, if we help and support worthwhile government endeavors instead of denigrating its efforts and if we believe in each other.

The C-5 is but one of our major flagship projects that are aimed at accelerating the realization of our shared vision of “Philippines 2000!!!”. We are resolved to see these projects through and keep faith with the commitment we have made with our people to upgrade our infrastructure.
COMMENDABLE WORK
Let me at this point extend my highest commendations to the various persons and institutions who rendered dedicated and excellent work to bring us to this inauguration of the C-5.

Foremost among them would be the DPWH, particularly Secretary Gregorio Vigilar and Director Vicente Lopez, who have been supervising and pushing this project on a daily basis for the past several months.

We also acknowledge the contributions of other government agencies in realizing this project, particularly the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which headed the task force on right-of-way acquisition, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which provided the right-of-way within Fort Bonifacio and the concerned Metro Manila mayors who assisted in the right-of-way acquisitions.

Congratulations too, to the contractors –E. Ramos Construction and William Uy Construction — which worked round-the-clock on the project for the past several months. We also extend our appreciation and admiration to all the hundreds of workers who have toiled industriously on this project.

And let us not forget the supervising consultants — Katahira Engineers and Japan Overseas Consultants — who also worked round-the-clock, in tandem with the contractors.

Finally, we wish to express our gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund for assisting us in the financing of C-5.
A HOSPITAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF TAGIG-PATEROS
We also hold today the groundbreaking for 100-bed Tagig-Pateros District Hospital established under Republic Act 7842.

The idea for putting up this hospital came from Tagig-Pateros’s Representative to Congress, Congressman Dante O. Tinga.

Health Secretary Flavier favorably acted on the proposal based on the Department of Health’s findings that the large population of both Tagig and Pateros “warrant that a hospital be established in this area.”

By setting up this government hospital in this ideal location, we can bring hospital service much closer not only to the residents of Tagig and Pateros, but to the residents of Paranaque, Pasay City and Muntinlupa as well.

And with the forthcoming conversions of the BCDA area into a commercial complex and the opening today of the C-5 road project to vehicular traffic, we expect the Tagig-Pateros District Hospital to be at the forefront of providing medical care to the people in these newly-opened areas.
A FRUITFUL YEAR
In closing, let me say that this has been a particularly rewarding day and a fruitful year for us.

We have finished the first phase of a major road project, and are now embarking on the construction of a hospital. Both projects signify our intention to move forward, keeping in mind always that the people’s welfare is paramount.

As we bid goodbye to a fruitful year of working together, it is my fervent hope that we can continue to sustain the spirit of cooperation we have shown thus far in our common goal of “Philippines 2000!!!” and in achieving a better quality of life for ourselves and our children.

Thank you and a happy New Year to all.