Drilon: 2014 budget allots P4-B infra funds for Iloilo

A whopping P4 billion worth of funds have been allocated in the 2014 national budget for various infrastructure projects throughout the entire province of Iloilo, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon announced today.

"The P4-billion funding for infrastructure projects will properly capacitate the necessary social and economic development programs, especially now that Iloilo faces the great challenge of rehabilitating its disaster-affected areas and citizens," said Drilon.

"I am hopeful that the infrastructure fund will be sufficient to push the province of Iloilo forward and onto the path of prosperity its people deserve," he noted.

Drilon added that these infrastructure projects "will not only improve local livelihood, but will also spur economic activity throughout the province."

The bulk of the budget, amounting to P1.3 billion, is allotted to the Department of Agriculture for the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project. The project will be the first large-scale reservoir dam outside of Luzon and will provide uninterrupted irrigation water supply to 32,000 hectares of farm land and will benefit more than 783,000 farmers, as Drilon pointed out.

Moreover, P1.645 billion has been allotted to fund various roads, bridges and flood control projects to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Of the said fund, P373.55 million will go to key infrastructure projects in Iloilo City such as the repair of the Iloilo airport direct road, Jaro spur road, and Manduriao-Jaro road; and the widening of the airport spur road, Arevalo by-pass, and Iloilo airport road, among others.

Likewise, P180.43 million will be spent for several road construction projects in the first district of Iloilo including the renovation of Iloilo-Antique road, Guimbal-Tubungan road, Miagao-Cadre road; and the repair of Malotho, Mahon and Andona bridges.

Another P421.8 million will go for the second district for the construction of a new route along Iloilo-Capiz road, repair of Potoa-Tina-Lambunao road, Iloilo east coast Capiz road, and Barotac Nuevo road. The fund will also be used to rehabilitate a slope protection along Lambunao-INCA road and to repair the Jalud bridge along Barotac Nuevo.

The third and fourth engineering districts, meanwhile, will receive P394.75 and P28 million, respectively for the widening of Iloilo east coast-Estancia wharf road, Passi-San Rafael-Lemery-Sara road, Concepcion-San Dionision road, among others. The funds are also meant to construct drainage systems along New Lucena-Sta. Barbara road and along Manduriao-Cabatuan road; and to repair the Nabitasan bridge along Iloilo City-Leganes-Dumangas road.

On top of these funds, P200 million has been allotted to the Iloilo Convention Center, to augment its initial P500 million funding earlier in 2013.

"The construction and repair of bridges, ports, and roads will significantly improve the logistical capacity of the province, and would benefit the Ilonggos' trade and transportation by connecting more people to more opportunities," noted Drilon.

Moreover, the Department of Health has also been allotted a P484.71 million budget for major hospitals in the province, which include Western Visayas Medical Center amounting to P384.6 million, Western Visayas Sanitarium totalling P67.47 million, and Don Jose Monfort Medical Center amounting with P32.64 million.

The Department of Transportation and Communication likewise has been allocated a P274.5 million fund for the expansion of the Iloilo International Airport, and another P10 million each for the development of Estancia and Miagao Feeder ports.

Lastly, Drilon said that P10 million has been allotted to repair the Sta. Barbara Church and convent."I believe that the P10 million in the infrastructure fund will finally enable reconstruction for one of Iloilo's cherished heritage sites."