THE Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway is one of the 10 projects identified as part of the Infrastructure Flagship Project (IFP) in Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC 6) for 2023-2028.

The approval during the RDC First Quarter Regular Meeting at Henann Palm Beach Resort, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan on March 24 came after the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., approved the projects.

Among the approved items are the three ongoing projects: the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway, Boracay Circumferential Road, and the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project-Stage II.

The five projects that have ongoing preparations are: the Antique Airport Development Project, Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway (ICAEx), Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Inter-Island Link Bridge, and the Upgrading and Improvement of the Iloilo International Container Port.

The two projects in the pre-feasibility study phases are the Iloilo-Santa Barbara Bus Rapid Transit, and the Panay Railway System.

These IFP projects are expected "to increase mobility and better connectivity as well as translate into increased productivity in agriculture and fisheries," Neda said in a statement.

The RDP 2023-2028 is based on the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of the current administration.

It aims to create more income opportunities, eradicate poverty, and control the overall rise of prices of goods and services.

Western Visayas is the fifth largest and eighth fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines outside of the National Capital Region.