By Annabel J. Petinglay
ILOILO CITY, July 19 (PNA) — Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco together with heads of the different enforcement agencies inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Panay River Basin Security Framework Friday at the Iloilo provincial capitol.
Gov. Tanco said that although the Panay River Development Project feasibility study is still ongoing he already signed the MOA in preparation for its implementation.
The governor further hopes that before his term ends in 2016, as the chief executive of the province there would already be a groundbreaking activity to be held for the project.
The Security Framework signed is for the purpose of getting commitment from the national government agencies to secure the workers carrying out the project that would even be bigger than the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project II (JRMP II) that had also the signing of MOA simultaneously today with Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr.
The Panay River Development Project in the tune of P22 billion would cover 13 towns out of the total 16 in Capiz.
Others that signed the MOA were National Irrigation Administration Regional Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga as project implementing agency, Philippine National Police Regional Dir. PCSupt. Josephus G.Angan, Philippine Army 301st Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Eric Uchida, and other stakeholders.
”This would address the flooding problem in Capiz as well as irrigate rice lands, produce power and have tourism benefits,” Gov. Tanco said.
He said that the project has already been endorsed by the Western Visayas Regional Development Council to the National Economic Development Authority Board.
“Many would like to fund the project but they are just waiting for the feasibility study,” Gov. Tanco added.(PNA)