Senator Richard Gordon has assured that Mindanao would not be left behind in the pursuit of progress once reelected.
Gordon, who came to the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon as a guest senatorial candidate of the Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan tandem, is envisioning the area as a major Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub, or RICH.
“Having a hub in Cagayan de Oro with the seaport and airport will allow you to bring produce all over the world, not just here. So, it's important that we have a master plan, I'm sure you have one here,” Gordon said in a radio interview with local media in the city.
“Everybody wanted to have one. I'm planning one in Negros, planning one in Panay Island, certainly in Cagayan de Oro as well,” he added.
Gordon had filed the RICH bill with Central Luzon targeted as a pilot area in the 17th Congress.
The RICH concept aims to set up several hubs encompassing commerce, agriculture, education, government, and transportation in several areas across the country, including Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao.
He cited the area's robust environment, as it is already surrounded by fresh produce from Bukidnon, a seaport, and the presence of the Laguindingan Airport, where it could export its produce.
Aside from the RICH hub, Gordon said that he is also pushing for the development of Lake Lanao, akin to Laguna de Bay, through the establishment of a government corporation.
“Maasahan niyo ang tulong ng Senado (Expect Senate help in this regard). Eventually, iyong Lake Lanao Development Authority, magiging parang Switzerland ng Asia (Eventually, Lake Lanao Development Authority would be like Switzerland in Asia),’’ Gordon said.
“Dapat ang airport sa Balo-i ay ma-develop, kung gagawin iyon. Kailangan may vision (There should be a vision to develop Balo-I Airport),” he added.
Gordon had spearheaded the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)'s relief operations in the area, which had been devastated by typhoons Sendong and Pablo in the early 2010s. He is the PRC chairman and chief executiveofficer (CEO).
The country's largest humanitarian organization was able to build around 5,000 houses in partnership with other national Red Cross councils, he pointed out.
Prior to being senator, Gordon helped in the negotiations for the release of several hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf, which primarily operates in Mindanao.
He had also responded to several armed conflicts in the area, helping the residents of Marawi recover from months of intense fighting wherein the city was virtually flattened; and awarded cash grants up to P10,000 pesos to 2,307 affected families.