TACLOBAN CITY - The provincial government of Samar is pushing to create a P4-billion business district within the next few years.
Governor Reynolds Michael Tan disclosed this plan during his State of the Province Address (SOPA), which coincided with the 180th anniversary of Samar Day recently.
The Samar Business District project that will be built in a 70-hectare reclamation area in six villages in its capital, Catbalogan City, aims to create more job opportunities and develop the province's economy.
He added that the business district that will mainly benefit the city will be bigger than its city proper which is only about 30-40 hectares.
"It's a mixed-use area that will include residential, commercial, and institutional areas although it will cover more commercial areas," he shared.
The governor said they will create new roads and will ensure calamity resilience by taking advantage of the existing tide embankment project in the city.
"We will also be able to correct our flooding situation through our initiative with the Samar Business District," he said. "We plan to expedite this (project)... We hope to maintain that Catbalogan will be the center of the economy in Samar."
The governor said they are now in the process of creating a master development plan for the multi-billion project.