CEBU CITY – Metro Cebu will certainly benefit from the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), Sen. Mark Villar assured.
Villar said the MIF, the country's first-ever sovereign investment fund, will provide the country more funds for infrastructure, agriculture, and energy projects.
“I’m excited because once it will be constituted and operational, the Maharlika Fund will provide more job opportunities for our countrymen,” said Villar who was in Cebu recently to attend the gathering of members of League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Luzon Island Cluster (LMP-LIS).
Villar authored the MIF bill which is now known as Republic Act 11954 after it was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos on July 18.
According to the National Economic Development Authority, at least 350,000 more jobs will be generated because of additional investments from the MIF.
Villar said the Metro Cebu Expressway and the upcoming construction of the fourth bridge in Cebu are qualified for funding from the MIF.
“These projects will definitely help address traffic problems in Cebu,” said Villar.
Villar said projects that will also help solve Cebu’s perennial problem on flooding may be also funded by MIF.
Speaking before the members of the LMP-LIS, Villar also reported that the One Town, One Project (OTOP) measure or Senate Bill No. 1594 that he authored is just one signature away from becoming a law.
“We need to push for development in the countryside and this OTOP will help. Each town can focus on what they are producing and because of the bill, they will get support from the government,” said Villar.
While the Department of Trade Industry has its own OTOP, there is a need to institutionalize the program, Villar said.
“Once it becomes a law, OTOP will have yearly funding. There will be consistent support from the government for the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and rural communities,” said Villar.
Villar said it is important for the MSMEs to get ample support because of the employment that they generate in the countryside.