DTI-DPWH CONVERGENCE PROJECT. The ongoing concreting of Calabgan road connecting to Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco) in Casiguran, Aurora. The project is part of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) convergence program that aims to promote economic growth and infrastructure development in the northern towns of Aurora province. (Photo by Jason De Asis)
BALER, Aurora -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have rolled out a convergence program that would promote economic growth and infrastructure development in the northern towns of this province.
DTI provincial director Edna Dizon said some PHP13.95 million has been allotted for the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) program that aims to spur the growth of investments and other economic activities in the northern towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag.
“This convergence initiative aims to boost investments and other economic activities in the country through more road projects leading to manufacturing and economic zones,” she said in an interview on Thursday.
The road project, Dizon said, is the ongoing concreting of Calabgan road connecting to Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco) in Casiguran town where industry sector needs road facilities and connectivity.
“The project will lessen the travel time of Apeco locators, shared service facility (SSF) cooperator, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and its beneficiaries for the marketing, distribution, delivery of agricultural products, and other by-products. It will also reduce the expenses of local residents transporting their agricultural products in Central Aurora,” she added.
The convergence project forms part of the national government’s infrastructure budget of 7 percent of the gross domestic product, which is equivalent to about PHP8.2 trillion.
“We are very thankful to President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program as it will surely upgrade the country’s infrastructures. It will also provide interconnectivity between people and communities, create more jobs, and strengthen the investment climate leading to sustained inclusive growth,” Dizon said.
Infrastructure is among the top priorities of the Duterte administration with public infrastructure spending targeted to reach PHP8 trillion to PHP9 trillion from 2017-2022. (PNA)
