The MIMAROPA Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) tackled and endorsed the creation of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) MIMAROPA Regional Office, Marinduque project proposals on infrastructure for funding and consideration of relevant agencies, and calendar year (CY) 2021 IDC work program. IDC Chairperson and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. presided over the IDC meeting online through zoom video conference last February 5.
In his message, Governor Velasco emphasized that time is of the essence for the committee to do and accomplish tasks for the development of infrastructure in the region. He said that despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, he remains optimistic about the infrastructure development of the MIMAROPA provinces, and the country. He assured everyone that the committee will continue working on the development initiatives that were already started. He is also hoping that everything will normalize with the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine this year.
Regional Director Emmanuel Carpio of MARINA in MIMAROPA presented the proposal for the creation of the MIMAROPA Regional Office. It includes the establishment of a regional office with 32 plantilla positions, and four extension offices with 35 plantilla positions. The proposal was recommended for endorsement by the RDC subject to locating the regional office in Calapan City and adjustment of number of personnel for the Puerto Princesa City Extension Office.
Eleven project proposals were presented by Marinduque, which includes among others, the proposed Balogo International Port that will be the service port for the proposed Sta. Cruz Freeport and Economic Zone, Maniwaya Circumferencial Road, Construction of Public Market Commercial Complex, and River Control Projects.
Except for the Balogo International Port recommended to be included as a component of the proposed Sta. Cruz Freeport and Economic Zone and for further study by Department of Transportation or DOTr for the proposed business plan study, all projects were recommended for RDC endorsement to concerned agencies for inclusion in the MIMAROPA Regional Development Investment Program or RDIP.
The IDC also discussed the CY 2020 IDC accomplishment report, CY 2020 summary of attendance, application process for environmental compliance certificate (ECC), guidelines on Free and Prior Informed Consent or FPIC, and the National Power Corporation report on CY 2020 transmission line projects in MIMAROPA.