The NEDA Board-Regional Development Committee (NB-RDCom) Visayas Area Committee (VAC), during its second meeting for the year on August 25, 2017 at Seda Atria Hotel, Iloilo City, unanimously selected RDC VI Chairperson and Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao as the RDCom VAC Chairperson. RDC VII Chairperson and world-renowned furniture entrepreneur Kenneth C. Cobonpue was also chosen as the RDCom VAC Co-Chairperson. Both Officers will serve the Committee for the 2017-2019 term of office.
Present during the meeting were: NEDA-Regional Development Office (RDO) Assistant Secretary Mercedita A. Sombilla, representing RDO USec. Adoracion M. Navarro; Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Assistant Secretary Anthony Gerard Y. Gonzales, representing PA Michael Lloyd L. Dino; RDC VIII Co-Chairperson Atty. Roy Bernard C. Fiel, representing RDC VIII Chairperson and Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez; RDC Vice-Chairpersons: RD Ro-Ann A. Bacal of NEDA VI, RD Efren B. Carreon of NEDA VII, RD Bonifacio G. Uy of NEDA VIII; and RDC Secretaries and NEDA Assistant Regional Directors.
Another highlight of the meeting was the discussion on Power Interconnectivity, particularly in the Visayas Regions. This is in light of the recent disasters such as the magnitude 5.6 earthquake in Bohol; Supertyphoon Yolanda in some parts of Iloilo, Cebu, Leyte and Samar; and the recent magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Leyte, which caused massive power outages in the Visayas. The RDCom VAC saw the need to discuss the energy sector’s plan in ensuring the delivery of secure, stable, sufficient, affordable, environment-friendly, and disaster-resilient energy, and its connectivity between and among the three Visayas regions and the rest of the country. Accordingly, the DOE and NGCP presented their long-term plans and initiatives in the energy sector.
In view of the need to strengthen inter-island connectivity, the Committee tackled the proposed Nationwide Island Provinces Link Bridges for Sustained Economic Growth Project, which includes three (3) bridges in the Visayas (Cebu-Bohol, Negros-Cebu, Bohol-Leyte). The Committee recommended to fast-track the feasibility study of the said bridges, hence, passed RDCom VAC Resolution No. 11-A, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Expedite the Conduct of a Feasibility Study on the Nationwide Island Provinces Link Bridges for Sustained Economic Growth Project.” In addition, the Committee passed RDCom VAC Resolution No. 11-B, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Undertake a Feasibility Study on the San Carlos, Negros-Toledo, Cebu Bridges.”
In view of the need to strengthen inter-island connectivity, the Committee tackled the proposed Nationwide Island Provinces Link Bridges for Sustained Economic Growth Project, which includes three (3) bridges in the Visayas (Cebu-Bohol, Negros-Cebu, Bohol-Leyte). The Committee recommended to fast-track the feasibility study of the said bridges, hence, passed RDCom VAC Resolution No. 11-A, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Expedite the Conduct of a Feasibility Study on the Nationwide Island Provinces Link Bridges for Sustained Economic Growth Project.” In addition, the Committee passed RDCom VAC Resolution No. 11-B, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Undertake a Feasibility Study on the San Carlos, Negros-Toledo, Cebu Bridges.”
The Committee also discussed the proposed plans for increasing air and sea transport connectivity within the Visayas regions and with other parts of the country. Various air and sea transport companies, such as FastCat, 2GO, Philippine Airlines, and Air Juan Aviation presented their current services and modernization plans to help improve the transport sector in the country. Several issues and concerns were raised by said companies. On the need to improve port facilities, the Committee passed RDCom VAC Resolution No. 12, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to Provide Assistance and Necessary Facilities, Including Space for Ticketing Offices within the Ports, for the New Shipping Companies,” and RDCom VAC Resolution No. 13, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Ferry Transportation Companies to Establish an Online Booking System.”
Further, to address port congestion, which requires port modernization, the Committee passed RDCom VAC Resolution No. 14, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to Prioritize the Upgrading of Ports of Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu City, Ormoc City, and Palompon.”
Other resolutions passed to improve the air and sea transport connectivity in the Visayas were: RDCom VAC Resolution No. 15, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to Expedite the Detailed Engineering Study for the Expansion of the Iloilo Airport,” and RDCom VAC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2017, “Requesting the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to Endorse to the Korean Government the Conduct of a Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a Trans-shipment Hub in Babatngon, Leyte and Alternative Site.”
Hiyasmin Batan-Martillo, PFPD, NEDA VIII
