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Iloilo guv says 'Build, Build, Build' an economic driver

By Gail Momblan

July 20, 2019, 5:18 pm

<p><strong>ECONOMIC BOOSTER.</strong> Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. stresses on Friday (July 19, 2019) that President Duterte’s 'Build, Build, Build' (BBB) program is an economic booster. He hoped the Iloilo and Guimaras bridge, which now nears half of its feasibility study, might come into the attention of the President during his State of the Nation Address on Monday. <em>(PNA Photo by Gail Momblan)</em></p>

ECONOMIC BOOSTER. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. stresses on Friday (July 19, 2019) that President Duterte’s 'Build, Build, Build' (BBB) program is an economic booster. He hoped the Iloilo and Guimaras bridge, which now nears half of its feasibility study, might come into the attention of the President during his State of the Nation Address on Monday. (PNA Photo by Gail Momblan)

ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. underscored on Friday the economic importance of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s "Build, Build, Build" (BBB) program.

“The Build, Build, Build is an economic driver, especially the government’s implementation of big projects. This program produces employment and contributes greatly to the liquidity and circulation of money,” Defensor said.

He expressed hope the President can include in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday the bridge linking Iloilo and Guimaras, which will be part of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge network.

The bridge network amounting to PHP27.15-billion is among the major projects of the President in the Western Visayas, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

“The Iloilo-Guimaras bridge is viable,” Defensor said, adding that the President sometimes “localize” the topic and the bridge network might come into his attention.

Jose Al Fruto, assistant regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Western Visayas, said in a separate interview that the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge network nears half of its feasibility study.

“Feasibility study is now ongoing it will be able to be completed by January of 2020,” Fruto said.

The feasibility study was started in November 2018 by the China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) Highway Consultants Co. Ltd., a China state-owned company, he said.

“And if we based it on the timeline, we can implement the project within two years after the feasibility study,” Fruto said.

He expressed hope that the bridge project will start, even the Panay-Guimaras part first, before the end of President Duterte’s term in 2022.

“We are very expectant that before the end of the present administration, we can start the ball rolling, even the Panay-Guimaras site first,” he said.

The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge network is seen to provide increased inter-connectivity in the provinces of Western and Central Visayas and will encourage a robust economy in the regions.

The governor said the improvements of the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town and Port of Dumangas in Iloilo are also some of the helpful infrastructure projects to be implemented by the Duterte administration.

Defensor also shared his expectation that the President will include in his speech some of the most important topics such as the Charter Change, the government’s fight against illegal drugs, transportation situation, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and revenue-generating measures. (PNA)

 

 

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