P1-billion infras for Iloilo City this year

• Source: http://panaynewsphilippines.com/2015/06/19/p1-billion-infras-for-iloilo-city-this-year/
• Friday, June 19, 2015

(Iloilo City PIO/PN)

ILOILO City – Over a billion pesos worth of infrastructure projects will be implemented here this year.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson announced this as he lauded the city government’s support for the smooth implementation of his agency’s projects, during an inspection on June 11.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said infrastructure developments provide more economic opportunities to the Ilonggos.

Singson said implementing big projects is daunting but is made easier with the help of the city government.

“The development in Iloilo is definitely much higher than the national average gross domestic product growth. Our estimate here is a double-digit growth because of the construction boom,” Singson said.

The improvements boost the city’s bid to attract more investors and tourists.

The widened 15.6-kilometer Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue commonly called Diversion Road, an eight-lane with two-lane service road and bike lane provides easy access to the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

The 14.8-kilometer President Corazon C. Aquino Avenue commonly called C-1 or Circumferential Road provides alternative routes to Jaro, Mandurriao and Arevalo districts, and adjacent towns.

The Muelley Loney Bridge set to open in July. It will provide convenience and accessibility to visitors and Ilonggos going to the fastcraft terminal across the Iloilo River in Lapuz district and heritage sites in City Proper.

Construction on the state-of-the-art Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) are expected to be completed in July in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings slated in September and October.

A total of P1.15-billion worth 73 programmed projects under the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is scheduled for implementation in city this year by DPWH.

These include six tourism roads, three road rehabilitation projects; 13 constructions and maintenance of flood control and drainages; six roads widening; seven bridges; and 38 projects under Local Infrastructure Program.