ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is pushing for nearly P6.4 billion in development funding from the national government as he personally submitted three major proposals to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) secretary Amenah Pangandaman during a courtesy visit in Manila on July 8.
Topping the governor’s list is a P5.96-billion request for the completion of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP) Stage II.
Backed by Regional Development Council (RDC) 6 Resolution No. 2, Series of 2025, the funding is deemed critical for advancing irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control capabilities in Iloilo — key pillars in the province’s agricultural and economic strategy.
Defensor also sought the reinstatement of P202.5 million in Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) originally allotted to Iloilo under the Fiscal Year 2021 budget but reverted to the National Treasury.
The funds, under the framework of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), were meant to finance barangay development projects, particularly the construction of the Pototan Commercial Complex (P25 million) and the concreting of roads across several towns (P210 million).
Rounding out his proposals, the governor requested a P250-million allocation for the continued development of a Smart Government Center in barangays Bolong Oeste and Inangayan, Santa Barbara. The modern facility, covering 5.6 hectares, is envisioned to host regional government offices, a sports arena, convention and training centers, and residential accommodations. The Department of Public Works and Highways is currently implementing Phase I of the project with an initial P100 million funding secured through former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla.
DBM undersecretary Wilford Will Wong joined Secretary Pangandaman during the meeting./PN
