ANTIQUE Governor Rhodora Cadiao, chair of Regional Development Council (RDC)-Western Visayas, said Friday the P2 billion worth of projects proposed by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. will be given priority.
“I would give priority to these projects to make Negros feel that you have already caught up with the development under RDC-6,” she said at the RDC-Western Visayas 4th Quarter Regular Meeting held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.
Cadiao said that among the projects proposed by Marañon are irrigation, roads, and bridges.
“We need to meet the needs of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental after the province reverted to Region 6. This is one way of reaching out to Negros,” she said.
Cadiao said the projects proposed by Negros Occidental will be forwarded to the respective National Government agencies for budgeting.
“This project is in line with the thrusts of President Rodrigo Duterte which is ‘Build, Build, Build’ and ‘Spend, Spend, Spend.’ RDC-6 wants to impress upon these agencies like National Irrigation Administration and Department of Public Works and Highways that the request of Negros Occidental, which is a new memberm has to be expedited,” she added.
Iloilo-Guimaras-Negros Bridge
The bidding for the construction of the bridge that will interlink Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros would take place in the middle of 2018, Cadiao said.
She said the feasibility study for the interlink bridge has been ongoing.
“Hopefully, the project will be realized before the term of President Duterte ends. Connectivity of provinces and islands is part of his ‘Build, Build, Build’ thrust which will be the Duterte legacy,” she added.