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Defensor laments Marcos failure to mention status of Iloilo infra projects

Philippines | Visayas

Defensor laments Marcos failure to mention status of Iloilo infra projects

By Tara Yap

MARCOS and Defensor

MARCOS and Defensor

ILOILO CITY — Rep. Lorenz Defensor of the third district of Iloilo was dismayed over President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s failure to mention the status of key infrastructure projects in the province in his State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).

Defensor gave Marcos a score of six out of 10 for this year’s SONA.

While Defensor lauded the directive on curbing graft and corruption among national government agencies, there was no mention of the administration’s commitment to key infrastructure projects.

Unlike last year, Marcos never mentioned the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project-Stage II (JRMP-II) — the mega dam project in Calinog town.

While Marcos attended the July 2024 inauguration of the JRMP-II, Defensor said the mega dam project is still not operational.

The JRMP-II still needs to complete the canals that connect the three major dams to irrigation lines.

Defensor expressed dismay that the President did not mention the status of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges. The first phase is supposed to be built from the side of Iloilo to Guimaras.

When Marcos presided over a February 2025 meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC-6) in Iloilo City, he urged to fast-track the JRMP-II and proposed bridge projects.

Defensor said the President lacked a clear economic program for the remaining three years.

Related Tags

SONA Iloilo President Marcos Rep. Lorenz Defensor

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