Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. anticipates the announcement of several key development projects for Iloilo and Western Visayas in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Defensor noted that the President often highlighted Iloilo in his speeches, including his plans for the province when he delivered his first and second SONAs.
While the governor is hopeful for new development projects, he doesn’t expect major infrastructure projects like the Panay Railway, the planned Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway (ICAEX), and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge to be included.
“It would be great if we have new development projects for Iloilo and the whole region,” Defensor added.
The governor revealed he has been invited to attend the SONA and thanked President Marcos for prioritizing Iloilo in his administration’s programs and initiatives.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas hopes President Marcos will mention three key projects dear to Ilonggos: the privatization of the Iloilo International Airport, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridges, and the completion of the Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II).
“While the dams are completed, the irrigation canals are still to be done. President Marcos approved, through the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) Board, PHP 8 billion for the irrigation canals,” Treñas stated.
Treñas confirmed that he doesn’t need to attend the SONA, having already met the president three times recently: during the signing ceremony of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and the National Unity Party (NUP) on June 29, at the League of Cities of the Philippines dinner in Mandaluyong on July 11, and at the inauguration of JRMP II on July 16.
To maintain peace and order during the president’s address, the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas will implement a “No Permit, No Rally” policy. Police personnel have already been stationed in strategic areas.
Mr. Elmer Forro, Secretary General of Bayan Panay, announced that they will hold a State of the People’s Address (SOPA) to highlight the real conditions of the Ilonggos.
Among the issues they will raise are the rising inflation rate affecting the cost of goods, low unemployment rate and stagnant wages, the impact of the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP), and more.
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