Champs give govs, LGUs a rundown on Super-Regions

Sec. Ricardo Saludo

THE governors and other local government officials recently got the rundown on Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s program on the Super-Regions from the Cabinet champions themselves.

In a gathering of all local government officials during the 4th General Assembly of the ULAP, the five Cabinet champions for the super-regions, together with Cabinet Sec. Ricardo Saludo outlined and explained how the national government will be implementing the program, including the projects included therein.

Sec. Arthur Yap

In his presentation for the Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, PMS director general Arthur Yap explained that until 2010 the national government’s investment priority for the region will be on the improvement of roads, rehabilitation and completion of irrigation projects and construction of windmills.

The national government has likewise planned out projects for farm-to-market roads, airports, seaports, tourism, biodiesel and cold chain facilities for the NLAQ.
The total investment for the region amounts to P111.7 billion.

According to Sec. Yap, the region accounts for 37% of the country’s total rice production, 26% of corn and 65% of vegetables.

Sec.Edgardo Pamintuan

As for the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, Sec. Edgardo Pamintuan said that in the years 2002 to 2004, the region contributed more than 50% of the country’s gross domestic product and plays host to a conglomeration of a variety of major industries, and makes up for about 37% of the country’s labor force.

He explained that they have identified seven strategic themes for the development of the region.

These are: a globally competitive region; population growth and decongestion and improving the quality of life; ensuring food and water supply; managing water flows; opening of the Pacific coast; enhancing the role of LGUs and supporting infrastructure.

Among the major infrastructure projects, which will total to P687.8 billion, are the Subic Port and Clark Airport Developments; the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Tarlac-Dingalan and Marikina-Infanta Roads; the NLEX and SLEX connection via C-5; the SLEX upgrade to Batangas.

It also includes the coastal road to Bacoor; Manila North Transit; North Rail and South Rail projects; LRT extension to Bacoor; Ro-Ro port service from Lucena, Quezon to Boac, Marinduque; and, the 300 MLD water pumping station in Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Las Piñas.

Meanwhile, in order to further the tourism offerings of the Central Philippines Super Region, the national government has allocated P54.273 billion for the 15 airport, 12 seaport and 15 major road projects.

The national government plans to put up airports in the provinces of Albay, Aklan, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Leyte, Oriental Negros, Romblon and Surigao del Norte, two in Negros Occidental and four in Palawan.

Relative to seaports, the national government has lined up one each in Albay, Guimaras and Siquijor, four in Bohol and five in Masbate.

On the other hand, there are four major road projects planned for Bohol, three in Oriental Negros, two in Negros Occidental, and one each in Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Masbate, Palawan, Siquijor and Zamboanga del Norte.

Sec. Jesus Dureza

As for the Mindanao Super Region, Jesus G. Dureza, the Presidental Adviser on the Peace Process, the development thrust of the national government will be on agri-business.

It will capitalize on the region’s general advantages of being centrally located in Asia-Pacific and the gateway to ASEAN, its soil and typhoon-free climate which is suitable for diverse agriculture; rich inland and coastal water resources; abundant mineral deposits; exquisite tourism assets; world-class vacation destinations; cultural attractions colorful festivals; pristine beaches; and excellent diving spots.

The projects costing a total of P52.289 billion includes the Laguindingan, Cotabato, Dipolog, Pagadian, Ozamis, Zamoanga, Butuan and Cagayan de Oro Airports, the Sibuco-Serawai-Siocon-Baliguian, Awang-Upi-Lebak-Kalamansig, Dinagat Island, Surigao-Davao Oriental Coastal and the Hawilian-Salug-Sinakugan Barangay Roads as well as the Mindanao Road Improvement Project.

The other infrastructure projects planned out for Mindanao includes the Panguil Bay Bridge, farm-to-market roads with an allocation of P200 million per month for the next four years, irrigation projects with P200 million earmarked monthly until 2010, the Malaig Irrigation Project, Kabulnan Irrigation Project Phase II and the Davao Food Exchange.

Relative to the Cyber Services Corridor which cuts across the entire country, Sec. Ramon Sales, chairman of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, said they expect to generate some 1,082,800 jobs until 2010, with an expected income of some US$12,793,000.

Sales said the programs under the SysCor include the Community e-Centers equipped with computing facilities and trainings for community mobilization, social preparation and business planning; e-LGU CeCs for LGU services and community-based services; eSkwela; iSchools with networked computer laboratories, educators’ training and content development. For 2006, the CICT targets to put up 40 pilot schools and another 320 in 2007. (angelica j. sanchez)

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