P1B answer to biz sector's concerns

CLARK FREEPORT -- Governor Lilia Pineda has allocated at least P1 billion to address the concerns raised by the business sector in Pampanga province.

In a recent interview, Pineda said the billion budget is expected to address infrastructure development raised by the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PamCham) to her in one of their meetings.

The budget, which will last for three years, was part of the master plan the Provincial Government is working on.

"Meron silang ipinirisinta (They presented something) about the current situation of Pampanga. 'Yong kanilang mga data, pinick-up namin na ginamit naming basehan sa kasalukuyang ginagawa naming master plan (We used their data as basis for the master plan that we're currently working on)," Pineda said.

The governor added that she allocated a P1-billion budget for the master plan to address the business sector's problems.

She said the master plan is expected to be completed on the first week of December.

In a separate interview, PamCham president Renato Romero said the master development will coordinate the efforts of city and municipal mayors, including village officials in the province, regarding infrastructure development.

PAMPANGA. PamCham president Rene Romero and Governor Lilia Pineda talk business on the way downstairs after a function at Clark Freeport. With them is Board Member Nestor Tolentino. (Chris Navarro)

"For several administrations, we found out that the province did not have a master development plan which every official would follow. We thought we should have it to coordinate the efforts of the city and the municipal mayors, including the barangay officials," Romero said.

He added that the main formula of the master plan is infrastructure development.

"If we have good infrastructures, everything else will follow. The quality of life of Kapampangans will improve because we will have more job opportunities since many investors will go to Pampanga following our good infrastructures," Romero said. (Charlene Cayabyab)