By Mariela Angella Oladive
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has proposed the establishment of a smart and green regional government center in the province during the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI meeting hosted by the provincial government on Feb. 13 at the Casa Real de Iloilo.
The proposed facility, to be built in Santa Barbara, aims to centralize national government agencies that provide frontline services to the public.
“We want it to be digitized, and we want government offices in a corporate environment. We laid down the plan to the President and sought his support, as well as that of the Regional Development Council,” Defensor said in a radio interview.
He noted that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was “very receptive” to the proposal.
The provincial government has requested PHP500 million from the Office of Special Assistant to the President Antonio “Anton” Lagdameo Jr. for funding support.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. has also pledged an additional PHP100 million for the project.
“We want to work with the national government in completing the detailed engineering design and securing funding commitments so that we can begin the project with substantial resources,” Defensor said.
The planned four-story multipurpose building will be constructed on a 5.56-hectare property owned by the provincial government.
As a smart and green facility, it will feature an eco-park, training center, sports and recreation area, integrated emergency response station, and a commercial zone.
The initiative aligns with Defensor’s development thrust under the Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient (MoRProGRes) Iloilo, which aims to establish growth centers outside Iloilo City to stimulate socio-economic development in the province.
“Development is migrating out of Iloilo City. We also want to help ease congestion and create a growth center in the province to support the city’s economy,” he added.
The proposed site is strategically located near Iloilo City and the Iloilo International Airport, and is just a 30-minute drive from Dumangas Port.
During the meeting, Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting local initiatives and urged local government officials to collaborate closely with the national government.
“This has been very useful for us because it is very important for us at the national level to hear from the locals. I am always reminding everyone that you must do all of these big projects, small projects—whatever it is—so long as it is a national initiative,” Marcos said.
The President also received updates on major infrastructure projects in the region, including:
Rehabilitation of the Boracay Circumferential Road
Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage III
Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge
Panay Railway System
Marcos emphasized the importance of local officials’ participation in improving the province and the welfare of their constituents.
“Nobody is more expert in your area than the governor and mayors, and so, we always consider your inputs to be very, very valuable,” he said.
“Do not be hesitant if there is something else that you want to bring up, if there is a problem, or if you think there is a good idea that we can develop, relay them to us and we will look into it,” he added.
The meeting marked Marcos’ first official visit to Iloilo City since taking office.
Iloilo, historically known as an opposition stronghold, welcomed the President as he engaged with local officials to discuss critical infrastructure plans for the region.
