To eliminate resistance from Zamboanga City officials for the implementation of Executive Order 429 in favor of Pagadian City, Malacañang promised to make the former the industrial or trade center in Region IX.

To eliminate resistance from Zamboanga City officials for the implementation of Executive Order 429 in favor of Pagadian City, Malacañang promised to make the former the industrial or trade center in Region IX.

With this arrangement, City Government officials of Pagadian are now more relaxed in addressing issues and concerns for the transfer of regional offices to this city following a calibrated scheme as agreed by the technical working group under the supervision of Secretary Silvestre Bello III,  the Presidential Assistant on New Regional Government Centers.

During the 6th Regional Transfer Technical Working Group (TWG) held here last January 15, Pagadian City officials headed by City Mayor Samuel Co have agreed with their counterparts from Zamboanga City officials that every time the TWG meets discussion on making Zamboanga City an Industrial Center should be tackled too.

With Mayor Co were City Councilors Wilson Co, Arnulfo Garcia, Bienvenido Culve, Arnold Gavenia and SK Federated President Fausto Lingating. 

Engr. Leonila Sisona, the Executive Director of the Pagadian Regional Center-Management and Coordinating Office was also present with his staff.

On the other hand, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat sent city councilors Juan Climaco Elago, Lynet Abarro, Rudy Lim and Asbi Edding who voiced out their apprehension of possible economic infertility as soon as majority of the regional offices move out to {Pagadian) the new regional center.

It was Elago who aired agitation that his city would be in the less advantage for they  feel the vacuum as soon as all the regional offices will be transferred to Pagadian.

“We want to push what has been promised that our city will be converted into a business district in the region.”

Ilago added that while discussing the transfer of regional offices to Pagadian the TWG body should also discuss their proposed 3 main projects which need budget allocation from the national government, such as: 1) new airport; 2) new industrial seaport and 3) circumferential road.

The Zamboanga City solon was hopeful that these projects will offset the economic and social vacuum by the time that the over 7,000 regional employees along with their dependents leave their city to Pagadian.

It was NEDA Regional Director Rafael Evangelista who presided that meeting who told the body that he was commissioned by Assistant Secretary Danny Encenas of the office of Presidential Assistant on New Government Centers.

In that meeting, Regional Directors Julita Ragandang (DAR), Oscar Parawan (DA), Brenda Nazareth (DOST); DENR Regional Technical Director Reynaldo Bayabos and DPWH’s Winefreda Constantino were called to give updates on the status of their full transfer to this city.

Last update : 05-02-2008 16:08

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