ILOILO – What’s in store for this province in the next three years in the second consecutive term of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.?
Social justice, he said during his inaugural speech yesterday after taking oath before Sen. Sonny Angara at the provincial capitol.
How will he do it?
* increase investments and employment opportunities
* attain food security by maximizing rice production and adding value to agricultural products
* provide accessible health and social services to the Ilonggos
* promote public safety and protect and manage the resources and assets of the province
* ensure efficient and transparent government administrative services to provide ease to the public when transacting at the capitol
“We want to be resurgent because this administration, including those of the municipalities, this is a recovery administration. We are still recovering from the pandemic,” said Defensor.
The provincial government will provide accessible health and social services to the Ilonggos, he said. This could be achieved by strengthening the primary healthcare system in the province through the continuous improvement of the Iloilo Provincial Hospital and 12 other district hospitals.
Defensor said the provincial government will also maximize the benefits of the Universal Health Care law to provide accessible, affordable, and efficient healthcare services.
He took the opportunity to thank Senator Angara for his more or less half a billion assistance to the province of Iloilo for the improvement of the district hospitals and purchase of medical equipment.
Defensor appealed for everyone’s support in helping the province recover from the effects of the pandemic.
He cited the report of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) that the gross domestic product (GDP) of the province fell short of nine percent (9%).
“We should catalyze commerce and trade. We will increase businesses. We will create jobs. We will create economic opportunities and job opportunities for our kasimanwas here in Iloilo,” said Defensor.
He will focus on small irrigation projects to maximize hectarage of rice production.
“We are an agricultural province and we are proud of it and we don’t want to change it,” said Defensor.
He looks forward to the completion of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Phase II (JRMP II) in the municipality of Calinog which is expected to boost the supply of water and strengthen the irrigation system in the province.
The governor also said he will work on the upgrading of the Iloilo International Airport, the development of the Dumangas Port, and the improvement of road infrastructure to improve connectivity and link commerce to our growth areas.
In all these, said Defensor,“We will provide a transparent governance, efficient transaction, and we will strive to have the facilities of the province clean, orderly, and functional.” (With a report from LHC, Capitol news/PN)
