BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Following his Malacañang appointment as chairman of the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas for 2014 to 2016, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. announced that his top agenda will be to push for equitable share for the region and the Negros-Panay bridge.
Marañon noted that Region 6 has not been getting its fair share of the national budget, adding that there’s a big difference in the allocation between his region and those of the rest.
The governor said the allocation should be divided equitably according to the area and size of the local government unit. “It should be proportional to all provinces,” he said.
Marañon added that he will also push for the realization of the Negros-Panay bridge, which he said needs three years of feasibility study. He added that he will ask for international investors to assist in the realization of the project.
Marañon, who succeeded Capiz Governor Victor Tanco Sr., will be formally installed on September 26, in Iloilo City.
The last RDC-6 chairman from Negros Occidental was the then Governor Daniel Lacson Jr., who headed the council from 1986 to 1992.
The RDC-6 covers the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Guimaras.