BACOLOD City – The Provincial Development Council (PDC) here has approved for funding a total of P457.3 million worth of proposed development projects under the 2019 20-percent Provincial Development Fund (PDF).
Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. presided the council meeting with members consisting of city and municipal mayors, non-government organizations, national government agencies, city and municipal planning coordinators, and Capitol department and office heads.
During the PDC meeting, it was discussed that the proposed projects include the following: establishment of Negros First Global Institute (P135 million); construction of Hinoba-an Seaport (P70 million); additional fund for the transfer of Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation, Inc. (NFEFI) (P15 million); establishment of Cold Chains (P80 million); setting up of slaughterhouse for cattle, carabao and large ruminants (P40 million); construction of National Food Authority (NFA) Rice Trading Operation Center (P50 million); establishment of Integrated Laboratory (P24 million); and on-farm mechanization to support the operation of Negros Rice Processing Center (P43.3 million).
The council has likewise approved the proposed programs and projects for funding by the provincial government amounting to P434,518,506.50 upon availability of funds.
Marañon said that the provincial government aims to diversify Negros Occidental’s economy from a sugarcane industry to other industries such as swine, poultry, and information technology-business process outsourcing (IT/BPO), among others.
In terms of health program implementation, the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) has already enrolled 1.2 million members.
The governor also noted that the scholarship program of the province has been helping more students, and the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) has been providing job opportunities to skilled workers.
Farmers, on the other hand, are starting to benefit from the mechanization of the sugar and rice industries in the province.
Apart from the development projects, the council has also approved the declaration of support to proposed provincial ordinance declaring the Negros Occidental as a coal-free, clean energy and environment-friendly province.
The council has also approved to support the implementation of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Circular No. 2016-02 that states the Revised Rules on the Phase-Out of Wooden-Hulled Ships Carrying Passengers in Domestic Shipping in Western Visayas.
All approved agenda will also be endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental. (PIA/PN)
