P220B in gov’t projects listed for Western Visayas

BACOLOD CITY—At least P220-billion worth of projects are lined up in Western Visayas from 2011 to 2016.

These include roads, ports, irrigation canals and bridges, including one that would connect the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros.

The projects, under the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP), were presented to congressmen, governors and mayors of highly urbanized cities of Western Visayas at a regional development meeting in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Ma. Luisa Segovia, co-chair of the regional development council, said the RDIP would guide investors and business groups on where government intends to put its resources in Western Visayas in the next six years.

“It does not represent the totality of programs, projects and activities for regional development,” Segovia added.

Under the RDIP, a number of projects had been lined up for Bacolod. This included the development of Banago Port worth P716 million, the Bacolod Circumferential Road worth P457 million, the coastal road improvement from Sibucao to Punta Taytay worth P500 million, and the Bacolod City Master Drainage Plan worth P550 million.

These projects would spur development in Bacolod, said Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Also included in the six-year plan for Western Visayas is P20.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, P3.3 billion for direct hospital services, P2.5 billion for supplementary feeding in day care centers and P1.9 billion for health facilities and services rationalization.