Ilocos Norte gets nearly 1B in funding for critical projects

April 11, 2022 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (April 11, 2022)— Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) secured nearly Php 1 billion in funding for critical projects from various national government offices.

The provincila government’s critical projects for agriculture, health, infrastructure, and transportation include the establishment of a centralized trading center or “bagsakan” for agricultural produce and a cold storage facility; the upgrade of medical services at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH) and other PGIN-managed hospitals; the rehabilitation of various bridges, the establishment of the Port of Currimao and the improvement of the Laoag International Airport (LIA), and the construction of an intermodal terminal and parking building.

Specifically, for the establishment of a “bagsakan” and a cold storage facility, the Department of Agriculture allotted P30 million and P20 million, respectively, according to Manotoc.

The National Tobacco Administration likewise budgeted P7 million worth of biostimulants for the benefit of Ilokano tobacco farmers.

P60 million from the Office of the President and P15 million from the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation will be used to fund the upgrading of medical services at GRBASMH and other PGIN-managed hospitals. 

Additionally, Php 30 million from the Office of the President and the Department of Budget and Management under the Local Government Support Fund will be used for the rehabilitation of various bridges across the province.

While the Department of Transportation (DoTr) funneled P370 million and P128 million for the newly-inaugurated port in Currimao town and the future improvement of LIA, respectively.

The DoTr also apportioned P380 million for the construction of an intermodal terminal and parking building. On March 16, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and Gov. Marcos Manotoc signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the terminal and parking building, which is expected to serve public utility jeepney, bus, taxi, van, and tricycle operators.

PGIN said it sustains its thrust in ensuring the recovery of all Ilocos Norte’s sectors by actively coordinating with government institutions for the realization of its numerous development projects amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artemio A. Dumlao