DTI-DPWH road network in Negros Occidental to spur eco growthBACOLOD CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (
DTI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Negros Occidental are currently working on the development of two priority road networks in the province positioned to spur local economic growth.
The project is under the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program launched in 2016, and is expected to be fully realized next year.
DTI-Negros Occidental Director Lea Gonzales said Thursday, officials of the two local agencies convened at the Negosyo Center here to discuss the initial implementation stage of the program in the province, particularly the identification of the road networks.
Gonzales said under the program, each province in the country is going to prioritize two major road networks for funding under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
For Negros Occidental, Gonzales said they have initially identified these networks, but is still subject to further verification and validation by its partner-agency, the DPWH.
“This project will surely boost connectivity and lower cost for local enterprises,†she said, adding that like farm-to-market road projects of the Department of Agriculture, it will also boost access for companies to easily transport raw materials and finished goods.
The joint agreement of DTI and DPWH will focus on addressing the need of the country’s 12 priority industries.
These are electronic manufacturing services, automotive and auto parts, aerospace parts, chemicals, ship building, furniture and garments, tool and die for engineering works, agri-business, information and technology – business process management (IT-BPM), transport and logistics, tourism and construction.
According to DTI, most of these industries are existing and advantageous to the province.
In agri-business, the agency said it is prioritizing the development of food resource-based commodities like cacao, coffee, mango, banana, coconut, bamboo and other high-value crops.
Under the ROLL IT program, the development of the road networks includes road and bridge construction or rehabilitation components.
Gonzales said it could be existing roads, not necessarily new, which could be identified depending mainly on the need of the industries.
For Negros Occidental, it is most probably one in the north and another road network in the south, Gonzales said, adding that they cannot yet peg its amount.
“While DPWH is speeding up the gathering of data, DTI is also coming up with profiling of the companies and industries that could benefit from the project,†she also said.
The two agencies target to have the final list of road networks this week, which will then be endorsed by the Infrastructure Committee during the Negros Island Regional Development Council Meeting in Canlaon City on March 17.
Aside from bridging enterprises to the markets, ROLL IT program is also positioned to generate more employment and enterprising opportunities for residents and local entrepreneurs, respectively.(PNA)
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