Arroyo to visit Dinagat island Wednesday

BASILISA, Dinagat Island – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled to visit this newly-proclaimed island province in the Caraga Region Wednesday to inaugurate a bridge that local officials said would help hasten the delivery of public services and spur economic development on the island. It will be the second visit of Mrs Arroyo to this island, one of the poorest provinces in the region. When the President came to Dinagat Island in 2005, she distributed certificates of land ownership awards to residents. On Wednesday, the President is scheduled to unveil the marker of a newly-completed bridge. Dinagat Island Gov. Geraldine Ecleo-Villaroman, lone district Rep. Glenda Ecleo, and San Jose Mayor Benglen Ecleo will assist the President in the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Governor Villaroman said the President's visit underscores her sincerity in helping the province and in trying to uplift the lives of the residents. In October 2007, Dinagat Island was proclaimed a new province after the islanders voted “yes" in the plebiscite on the island’s conversion into a province. With the proclamation of Dinagat Island, the Caraga region is now composed of five provinces. The four other provinces are Surigao Del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. - OPS/GMANews.TV