Castro urges Marcos to prioritize Capiz mega dam, hospital upgrade
By Tara Yap
GOV. Castro, Rep. Castro, and President Marcos. (Capiz PIO)
ILOILO CITY – Gov. Fredenil Castro has urged President Marcos Jr. to prioritize two major infrastructure projects in the province of Capiz – the construction of a mega dam project and upgrading of a hospital.
Castro cited the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) initially conceptualized during the administration of President Marcos Sr.
Pre-construction for PRBIDP in Tapaz town may start in 2025 according to an announcement in 2024 once the detailed engineering study is completed but this never materialized.
Castro said that he is hopeful on the assurance made by President Marcos during a meeting with Western Visayas officials in Iloilo last year.
“Si Presidente Bongbong Marcos ay merong mga salita na puwedeng panghawakan (We can rely on the statement made by President Bongbong Marcos),” Castro told the crowd gathered during the April 27 mass-oath taking of newly promoted teachers and principals in Roxas City.
Castro informed Marcos of the incomplete construction of the new Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) in Roxas City.
Construction of the RMPH started in 2010 with funding by the Department of Health (DOH) and built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The RMPH was scheduled for turnover to the Capiz provincial government last December 2024 but the event never pushed through.
Capiz Rep. Jane Castro, the governor’s wife, authored a bill converting the RMPH into the Capiz Medical Center. Once converted, the hospital will be turned over by the provincial government to DOH for operations and management.