DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — Some PHP 17.32 billion worth of infrastructure and other projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte are being pushed for Negros Oriental.
Edward Du, the regional director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for Region 7, disclosed Thursday that the amount forms part of the total PHP128.27-billion budget for Central Visayas, which the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is proposing for inclusion in the 2019 budget.
The total amount being proposed for the region covers 2,134 projects.
Du, also former president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), said majority of the projects the DPWH would undertake under the infrastructure program for Negros Oriental would include national roads, inter-provincial roads (Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental), and bridges.
The biggest chunk of the proposed budget allocation for Region 7 goes to Cebu with PHP76.24 billion or 59.44 percent (771 projects); Bohol with PHP29.02 billion or 22.62 percent (518 projects); Negros Oriental with PHP17.32 billion or 13.50 percent (391 projects); and Siquijor with PHP5.69 billion or 4.44 percent (454 projects), according to information shared by NOCCI based on programs, activities and projects (PAPs) of the DPWH for 2019 budget.
Du is hopeful the budget will pass Congress but considering the tedious government processes, he also believes these projects can be implemented by the DPWH in 2021 yet.
As for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), NOCCI has made recommendations to the agency for its Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program under the “Build, Build, Build,” said Du.
The projects are expected to benefit such sectors as farmers and fisherfolk, among others, he added. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
