The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has secured close to P1 billion in funding for critical projects from various national government offices.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said the province’s critical projects are agriculture, health, infrastructure, and transportation, including the establishment of a centralized trading center or “bagsakan” for agricultural produce and a cold storage facility.
The others are the upgrade of medical services at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital and other provincial government-managed hospitals, rehabilitation of various bridges, the establishment of the Port of Currimao, improvement of the Laoag International Airport, and construction of an intermodal terminal and parking building.
The establishment of a “bagsakan” and a cold storage facility will need P30 million and P20 million, respectively, from the Department of Agriculture, while the National Tobacco Administration allocated a P7 million worth of biostimulants to benefit the tobacco farmers.
At least P60 million from the Office of the President and another P5 million from the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. would be used to fund the upgrading of medical services at GRBASMH and other hospitals.
Moreover, P30 million from the OP and Department of Budget and Management under the Local Government Support Fund would be used for the rehabilitation of bridges.
According to the Ilocos Norte governor, the Department of Transportation has funneled P370 million and P128 million for the newly inaugurated port in Currimao town and the future improvement of LIA, respectively.
DoTr apportioned P380 million for the construction of an intermodal terminal and parking building.
Last March 16, Manotoc and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade entered into a memorandum of agreement for the terminal and parking building that shall cater to public utility jeepney, bus, taxi, van and tricycle operators.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Manotoc said the province was able to sustain its thrust to ensure the recovery of all of its sectors through active coordination with government institutions for the realization of its numerous development projects