Iloilo City (15 November) — The Metro Iloilo–Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) conducted a Strategic Mapping Workshop to determine its priority goals by undertaking specific approaches, assisted by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Local Governance Development Program (LGDP) of the Australian government.
CUI project manager Francis Gentoral said that the workshop was expected to provide a framework for the preparation of balances scorecard for the preparation of the strategy map for the MIGEDC.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, MIGEDC chairperson, said in his remarks that the council was created to provide an effective governance body that will showcase business, growth centers for social and human development and tourism. He added that it will, therefore, necessitate the crafting of strategies and priorities, for the council to move forward.
The MIGEDC evolved from the Metro Iloilo Development Council (MIDC) that was earlier established by Iloilo City and four neighboring municipalities in February 2001.
President Gloria Arroyo formally established the council through Executive Order 559 signed on august 28, 2006. and was designed to address the areas’ problems brought about by urbanization and the spatial development challenges of tourism and economic development.
The MIGEDC is a work alliance of the City of Iloilo, the towns of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia, Leganes, Sta. Barbara and the province of Guimaras. Through EO 556, Guimaras and Sta. Barbara were added.
The province of Guimaras assumes the role of agri-eco-tourism center; Pavia as agro-industrial center; Leganes as the center for light industries; San Miguel as the agricultural basket; Oton as the dormitory and Santa Barbara as the international air travel gateway.
Iloilo City remains as the residential, financial commercial, governance and educational hub not only for Guimaras island and the five “satellite” municipalities but also for the entire Western Visayas region. (Source: PIA 6)
Written by ES Subong
Hello,
We need a bridge Iloilo-Guimaras ASAP! Imelda Marcos did the project for Samar-Leyte, and why can’t we? All we need to do is to ask our President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the implementation of the project. Thanks…and Goodluck!…Cheers!
All eyes for the Metro Iloilo – Guimaras Development Council. I just wish they’ll serve the its purpose in promoting, collaborating, coordinating, improving, enhancing services and facilities of Metro Iloilo residents. We are very much aware that Guimaras contribution to the new Metro Iloilo group will surely propel Iloilo’s bid as another tourism haven in the region apart from the “numero uno” Boracay Island.
take Sec Durano’s (Department of Tourism) statement –
“Visitors to central Philippines reached 4.23 million last year or 28 percent of the country’s total regional travelers. Western Visayas had the most number of visitors with 1,599,670 followed by Central Visayas with 1,460,739, said Durano.”
There you go! It’s Westen Visayas at its best !