CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Edwin Santiago is looking at “interconnecting” neighboring local government units to make Pampanga an inclusive growth center.
Santiago said that by sharing investments, development projects, trading and commerce, towns like Sto. Tomas, Bacolor, Mexico, Angeles and other nearby local government units in the proximity of the capital will benefit in the “interconnection.”
“Since our comprehensive development plans are all aligned with that of the provincial government and national government as well, we could possibly go into interconnection in terms of economic activities and infrastructure development,” he said.
He told Sun.Star Pampanga yesterday that products of neighboring towns and cities could be “bundled” with those of the city and other LGUs. Constituents of each town or city, Santiago added, would also benefit from the interconnection since they can be employed by investors like SM Malls and other establishments.
“We can also share in the overspill of economic activities. Additionally, we could interconnect our tourism investments through a roadmap that will harness the potential of each LGU and the whole province,” added Santiago.
He disclosed that he has had talks with some of the local chief executives of neighboring towns, as well as officials of the Pampanga Mayors League on the plan.
“I think we could realize the interconnectivity plan as many are favorable to it. Through this concerted effort, we could all share in development and inclusive growth,” Santiago said.