DEV'T PROJECTS. Ro-Ann Bacal, National Economic Development Authority in Western Visayas regional director, says on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019) that big projects in Iloilo province are being eyed. These projects include drainage, public transport system, and solid waste management. (PNA Photo by Gail Momblan)
ILOILO CITY – The National Economic Development Authority in Western Visayas (NEDA 6) considers establishing ticket projects outside this city.
Ro-Ann Bacal, NEDA 6 regional director, has met with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Thursday to discuss the study being conducted for the Metro Iloilo Strategic Infrastructure and Urban Master Plan.
“This is to prepare the master plan to identify critical infrastructures being needed to prepare ourselves with all the congestion in the metropolitan,” Bacal said in an interview with the media.
She said NEDA has informed the governor of the projects eyed in Iloilo, particularly in the towns close to this city like Santa Barbara, Leganes, Zarraga, and Pavia.
“The consultants will now start preparing the pre-feasibility study and the reason why NEDA is also funding this endeavor is that we would like also to select the strategic infrastructure projects that need to be funded in preparation to the metropolitan road of Iloilo,” she said, noting the governor has welcomed the plans of the NEDA.
In a press conference, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. said the NEDA is particularly proposing to make a pre-feasibility study on three major projects namely drainage, public transport system, and solid waste management.
“This is very welcome because the province as an autonomous local government unit has its own initiative. This is a very good development from the NEDA because they can help us in the project financing of the big-ticket projects in the municipalities surrounding the (Iloilo) city,” he said.
The project eyed by the NEDA is also “timely” and in line with the direction of the provincial government, Defensor said, as the province recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) center to pursue projects with the private sector.
The governor said he proposed to the NEDA to plan, among others, a public transport system in Iloilo as the province needs as an expressway from Iloilo cutting across the provinces of Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.
“That is what we need so that our major highways will be relieved of load,” he said. (PNA)
