CAPIZ – The Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project Regional Steering Committee (PRBIDP-RSC) held its organizational meeting on August 11 at the Governor’s Hall of the Capiz Provincial Capitol.
The meeting was chaired by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 6 Manager Jonel Borres, with Capiz’s Gov. Fredenil Castro serving as co-chair.
The PRBIDP-RSC was formed to strengthen collaboration among national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), the private sector, and community organizations to address developmental challenges within the Panay River Basin.
In his opening remarks, Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev) Region 6 director and Regional Development Council (RDC) VI vice chairperson Arecio Casing Jr. stressed the committee’s vital role in setting strategic direction and providing policy guidance for the prompt and efficient implementation of the PRBIDP.
Recognized as an infrastructure flagship project, the PRBIDP is expected to deliver significant socioeconomic benefits to the region. Casing said civil works are targeted to begin before the end of President Marcos’ term in 2028, underscoring the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.
Juvelyn Pamonag, Chief Economic Development Specialist and Regional Technical Coordinator for the RDC’s Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC), presented the key provisions of RDC-6 Resolution No. 4, s. 2025, which formalized the creation of the PRBIDP-RSC.
With the project’s detailed engineering design now 92 percent complete, Pamonag stressed the need for close coordination among stakeholders to meet timelines. This includes regular problem-solving sessions to address implementation issues and the formulation of actionable recommendations to keep the project on track.
The PRBIDP-RSC will submit monthly progress reports to the IDC and provide updates at quarterly RDC meetings to ensure accountability, transparency, and active stakeholder engagement throughout the project’s implementation./PN
