In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Iloilo City exec pushes for 'metro planning' amid ongoing dev’t

By Perla Lena

September 24, 2019, 6:51 pm

<p><strong>METRO PLANNING.</strong> Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on Monday (Sept. 23, 2019) underscores the need for metro planning as development is no longer just for the metropolis but for other neighboring local government units. The mayor initially met with members of the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council on Sept. 19 with discussions focused on traffic and solid wastes. <em>(PNA photo by Perla G. Lena)</em></p>

METRO PLANNING. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on Monday (Sept. 23, 2019) underscores the need for metro planning as development is no longer just for the metropolis but for other neighboring local government units. The mayor initially met with members of the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council on Sept. 19 with discussions focused on traffic and solid wastes. (PNA photo by Perla G. Lena)

ILOILO CITY -- The city government here is pushing for “metro planning” as the development will no longer just affect Iloilo City but its neighboring local government units (LGUs) as well, particularly the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council (MIGEDC).

In an interview on Monday, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said members of the council initially met on Sept. 19 and their discussions focused on traffic and solid waste management.

Two flyovers will be constructed in Aganan, Pavia and Ungka, Jaro. The projects will be subjected to bidding by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the next few weeks.

“The construction stage will affect all of us; we all have to plan for the alternate routes,” the mayor said.

On the other hand, Iloilo City is also in the process of coming up with a public-private partnership (PPP) for waste to energy. Treñas said that once the plan pushes through, the city government will be needing more solid wastes.

“We really have to work together because the development of one LGU will affect other LGUs and not only in economic promotion and infrastructure but also disaster resilience,” he added.

He cited the maritime incident that happened off Iloilo Strait on Aug. 3 where the six ambulances that responded were not enough when victims and survivors start coming in.

MIGEDC is composed of Guimaras, Leganes, Zarraga, San Miguel and Oton while the towns of Cabatuan and Dumangas are also interested to join.

Meantime, Treñas said the PHP6.7 billion brewery facility that will be constructed by the San Miguel Brewery in Barangay Gua-an, Leganes will also benefit the city. “Iloilo City is the center of recreation; people come here to the city for recreation,” he said.

He added that whenever there is development in the region, Iloilo City will always be its biggest beneficiary.

Iloilo City also is open to more investments, such as factories that would create sustainable employment.

“We want this kind of investment because if there is a lot of employment, there will be more money in circulation and more economic activities,” he said.

Among the areas open for investments are in Lapuz district and along the radial road. (PNA)



Comments