Iloilo to draft joint growth master plan

THE city and province of Iloilo, recognizing the need to work together for survival and development, will draft a joint master plan detailing their aspirations and programs.

Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, during the Infrastructure Summit held October 20 in this city, said that the two local government units must plan and work together to survive and progress.

"Progress in the province is how the city treats the province and I am willing to sit down with City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to talk about the suggested development master plan for the entire province and city of Iloilo as one," Defensor said.

Mabilog responded to Defensor's call and said the conference between city and provincial officials will be held soon to draft a joint master plan detailing the aspirations and programs of both local government units.

Defensor also expressed his appreciation of the local business community for taking the initiative to define the city and province's 2010-2013 infrastructure projects.

In particular, the Iloilo governor said the city transport terminals lack the facilities needed by the thousands of commuters coming from the municipalities, who use the transport terminals every day.

In response, Mabilog assured the governor that improvements will soon be implemented in the terminals and said that he has directed the Tagbac terminal management to submit a master plan for the development of its facilities.

Mabilog said he is supporting the plan of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is calling for a One Visayas Program that will connect Panay Island to Negros, Cebu and Bohol.

The Iloilo city mayor, who returned from Bacolod City last Wednesday, said both he and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia have inked a agreement twinning their two highly urbanized cities for the purpose of sustainable development and socio-economic growth.

Mabilog defined the priority programs of his administration and among these are the revitalization of the central business district (CBD) of the city proper especially the central market, a new and modern city hall, a city community college, sports and convention center and a modern slaughterhouse for big animals in Molo district.

"Iloilo has no way to go but ... positive growth in the five years and we are racing to achieve a Premier City status by 2015," Mabilog said.

The city is also embarking on impact projects through the public private partnership (PPP) concept on infrastructures and other sustainable development projects. (Lydia C. Pendon)