ANTIQUE – Gov. Rhodora Cadiao supports Bacolod City’s Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez as the new chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Western Visayas for 2022 to 2025.
RDC is the highest policy-making body in the region and the primary institution that sets forward development directions across different sectors.
Cadiao, RDC chairman from 2019 to 2022, sees bright prospects for Western Visayas with Benitez heading RDC.
During RDC’s organizational meeting on Aug. 18 at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional office in Iloilo City, Cadiao herself nominated Benitez to be her successor.
“I asked the secretariat of the RDC if Mayor Albee was interested. Sabi niya, ‘Yes, gov.’ Sabi ko sige ah, itugro na sa iya kay mas damo na sia connection sa babaw,” said Cadiao in an exclusive interview with Panay News.
Benitez’s national government connections could be tapped to facilitate programs and projects beneficial to Western Visayas, said Cadiao.
RDC supports the revival of Panay railway system connecting the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan. Cadiao is lobbying for the inclusion of Antique in this project.
Cadiao also wants Benitez to pursue the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge that is seen to further boost the region’s economy./PN
