THE Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 endorsed P167.9 billion of programs, activities and projects (PAPs) for Central Visayas next year during its first quarter full council meeting on Friday, March 22.
Of the amount, P101 billion is intended for infrastructure, P59.8 billion for social development, P5.3 billion for economic and P745.7 million for development administration.
The biggest chunk will go to Cebu with P90 billion, followed by Bohol with P40 billion, Negros Oriental with P26.3 billion and Siquijor with P5.2 billion.
Of the P90 billion for Cebu, P58.8 billion is intended for infrastructure, P30 billion for social development, P846.1 million for economic enterprises and P344.5 million for development administration.
Among the projects in Cebu endorsed for next year are the construction of fire stations in Sibonga, Sta. Fe, Aloguinsan, Poro in Camotes, Tuburan, Minglanilla and the rehabilitation of the Bureau of Fire Protection 7 regional office.
The RDC 7 also endorsed the proposed projects for the construction of the regional office of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 7 and the construction of jail buildings in Carcar City, Carmen, Lapu-Lapu City, Argao, Barili, Cordova, Oslob, Consolacion and Bogo.
Under the health facilities and enhancement program of the Department of Health 7, Cebu has requested P539 million for infrastructure, P260 million for equipment, P44 million for medical transport and P5 million for medical transport.
During the deliberation of the projects, Department of Budget Management 7 Director Imelda Laseras reminded the line agencies that aside from asking funding for their respective projects, these should also be implementation-ready.
“There should be concrete plans, designs are ready and the needed documents should be there for the approval because we are competing with 16 other administrative regions for the funding,” she said.
In response, Department of Public Works and Highways 7 Director Edgar Tabacon said that for 2020, they are already conducting the parcellary survey and the appraisal of the property that will be affected in the projects they will implement.
“As early as now, we will already prepare the offer to pay the owner of the properties. Those who will refuse, we already prepared the expropriation case which will be filed upon approval of the 2020 budget,” he said. (RVC)