NZM mayoral candidate Crisanto dela Cruz has been espousing a change in leadership because, according to him and his media mouthpieces, Zamboanga is being overlooked by the national government because of Lobregat's obstructionist posture.

"The records make de la Cruz and NZM liars because Zamboanga city, under executive Order 561 issued by President Arroyo, is part of the agri-business in Mindanao classified as super regions," Valesco said.

He said that as a result of the Super Region Development Strategy, Zamboanga will receive funding from the national government amounting to P400M for port expansion. The port expansion project will include the construction of air-conditioned passenger terminal, a pontoon pier and a movable RORO (roll on roll off) ramp The project is on-going, according to Valesco.

The other nationally-funded projects are Balinsungay irrigation system, development of animal stock farm breeding station in upper Lumayang, upgrading of standards and testing facilities and the establishment of satellite laboratories at the Zamboanga Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority; upgrading of slaughterhouses in San Roque; the Zamboanga city area transmission project; and the west coast road linking Sibuco-Sirawai coastal road in Zamboanga del Norte with Limpapa, Zamboanga city.

"These are proofs that we (in Zamboanga) have not been ignored or neglected by the national government," Valesco pointed out.

The data was released by the National Economic and Development Authority, (BJ)