By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The third congressional district of Iloilo will have its own district engineering office for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which will be constructed in the town of Pototan.
This follows the signing of Republic Act No. 12005 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 7, mandating the creation of the DPWH Iloilo Sixth District Engineering Office.
The new office will cater to Badiangan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, and Pototan.
The province currently has four district engineering offices located in Dumangas, Barotac Viejo, Santa Barbara, and Fort San Pedro in Iloilo City.
The third congressional district is currently served by the 4th District Engineering Office in Santa Barbara.
Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor, who filed House Bill 07769 in May 2023, pushed for the construction of a new district office.
Joining Defensor as major sponsors of the bill were House Committee on Public Works and Highways Chair Romeo Momo Sr. and House Appropriations Committee Chair Elizalde Co.
In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo, Defensor said the development would enable a stronger focus on various infrastructure projects within the third district of Iloilo.
“This is a game-changer for the third district of Iloilo. A game-changer for our development and progress,” he said.
“The third district has the most number of and the longest road network in the province of Iloilo and we are with the fourth district that is served by the DPWH. With our own DPWH office now, there will be dedicated attention to infrastructure development in Central Iloilo,” he added.
The Presidential Communications Office said the construction would receive funding from the national government’s annual budget.
Defensor stated he would push for the construction of the office and the organization of its personnel to start this year, with the office expected to be fully operational by the last quarter of next year.
He noted that the specific location of the building is yet to be determined.
