The Regional Development Committee (RDCom) Visayas Area Committee (VAC) of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) unanimously elected Antique Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao as chairman during its second meeting for this year last August 25 in Iloilo City.
VAC also elected RDCom on Central Visayas chairman and world-renowned furniture entrepreneur Kenneth C. Cobonpue as the RDCom VAC cochairman. Both officers will serve the committee for the 2017-2019 term of office.
The meeting discussed, among others, the energy connectivity in the Visayas region in the light of recent disasters that caused massive power outages in the whole Visayas, such as the 5.6-magnitude tremor in Bohol, Supertyphoon Yolanda and the July 6 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Leyte.
In a statement, the RDCom VAC said it 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. During the meeting, the Department of Energy and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines presented their long-term plans and initiatives in the energy sector.
The RDCom VAC also discussed in length the need to strengthen interisland connectivity through the proposed Nationwide Island Provinces Link Bridges for Sustained Economic Growth Project, which includes the construction of three vital bridges in the Visayas that will connect Cebu-Bohol, Negros-Cebu and Bohol-Leyte.
The committee recommended to fast-track the feasibility study of these bridges by passing a resolution 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. It also asked the DPWH to undertake a feasibility study on the planned bridge that will connect San Carlos, Negros and Toledo City, Cebu.
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, where the companies also raised several issues and concerns.
RDCom VAC also passed a resolution requesting the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to provide necessary facilities, including a space for ticketing offices in different Visayas ports for new shipping companies as a measure to improve port facilities.
RDCom VAC also requested ferry- transportation companies to establish an online booking system as a way to enhance its services to the riding public.
To address port congestion that requires port modernization, the committee passed a resolution requesting the PPA to prioritize the upgrading of ports in the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu and Ormoc, and in the town of Palompon, Leyte.
The Visayas economic planners are endorsed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expedite the detailed engineering study for the expansion of Iloilo Airport. It also asked the DOTr and PPA to endorse to the Korean government the conduct of a feasibility study for the establishment of a transshipment hub in Babatnon, Leyte, a priority project of the regional development council in Eastern Visayas.
Present during the meeting were Neda-Regional Development Office (RDO) Assistant Secretary Mercedita A. Sombilla, representing RDO Undersecretary Adoracion M. Navarro; Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Assistant Secretary Anthony Gerard Y. Gonzales, representing PA Michael Lloyd L. Dino; RDC VIII Cochairman Roy Bernard C. Fiel, representing RDC VIII Chairman and Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez; RDC Vice Chairmen: 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.