Power supply tops list of 5 issues affecting city's economic dev't
The issue on power supply tops the list of the five primary issues concerning the city's economic development that were raised in the recent People's Consultative Assembly. The assembly was primarily held to harmonize the legislative plan, executive agenda and 10-point agenda of the President.
The concerns on water, traffic, unemployment and infrastructures come next. With the identification of the economic issues and concerns also comes the proposed intervention of the Sangguniang Panlungsod through a passage of resolution and regulatory ordinance. The peoples consultative assembly was initiated by Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog. It was held last September 10, 2007.
The stakeholders proposed that the city council should pass a resolution to have a new, alternative and sustainable source of power supply. It was not specified whether the city government should only rely on coal-fired power plant as alternative source of energy.
The stakeholders which is composed of different sectors also want a strict enforcement of ordinances against power pilferage and an advocacy on power utilization and conservation. Programmed brownouts should be disseminated and regularly monitored and regular check-up of facilities should be conducted.
In the water supply issue, the stakeholders want the council's intervention by passing a regulatory ordinance relative to the construction of septic tanks. Moreover, the stakeholders asked that the council should also intervene to strengthen and upgrade water sources, regular check up of water lines, encourage proper utilization and enforce sanctions against water pilferage. However, these are actions that are basically the concerns of the water provider, in which case, the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
For the concern on traffic, the people want the strict and full implementation of the traffic rules and ordinances. They likewise want that existing ordinances which governs the selection and hiring of the traffic enforcers should be observed. There should be a regular training and seminar of traffic enforcers, they add.
In the unemployment issue, the stakeholders wanted that the government should provide incentives to investors to attract more investments. The streamlining and simplifying of the acquisition permits, holding of regular job fairs and encouraging small business entrepreneurs are also asked.
In the same unemployment concern, the stakeholders want the "removal of illegal structures and vending places for vendors." This proposal will expectedly meet opposition as there are number of street vendors in the different city's streets. People will be deprived of their chance to earn a living from vending.
And for the infrastructure issue, the stakeholders want an open opportunities for private firm to put up convention centers and other facilities that would generate income for the people.