Once again, Region 8 hugged the headlines recently with the news that there are 25 multi-billion-peso projects underway in this region, as reported by Sarwell Meniano of the Philippine News Agency.
It is good news. But as I mentioned here several times there is always a second side; the other side of the coin when we read news like this.
These would include the usual delays in implementation. The most significant of them is the super-delayed implementation of the Tacloban Airport Development Project. This is a project that was plagued with technical problems requiring three Variation Orders from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
The implementation of several projects has been temporarily stopped because of the so-called right-of-way problems. There is opposition from landowners and the DPWH failed to negotiate on time the purchase of land to be used for road projects.
Then there is the lack of feasibility studies, particularly those concerning environmental compliance, which results in design flaws and delays in implementation.
There would also be projects that have inter-agency coordination problems and those that have national government and LGU coordination problems.
The billion-peso projects are not only located in Leyte. All provinces have projects of that magnitude. Hence, there are expected beneficial impacts throughout Eastern Visayas.
The question now arises: Will these projects finally lift the socio-economic development of the region? We are now four ranks from the bottom in terms of the percentage of the population who are poor compared to the overall population. For many years now, this region has not unhinged itself from this low position.
These projects give this region a golden opportunity to turn things around.
Finally, we could bask in the limelight and distinction as the fastest-growing region of the country. However, there will be a time lag from project completion until the rise of this region to prominence can take place.
In emphasizing the development of Eastern Visayas through the implementation of billions worth of projects, the present administration should not expect a quick uptick in growth. It will take many years to attain the benefits from these improvements in terms of accelerating the increase in the number of families who fall above the poverty line.
Whatever the economic landscape of this region ten or twenty years from now, it will undoubtedly have the imprint of the present administration.
But to go back to the thesis at the beginning of this column: there is a direct relationship between project success and the ability of the implementing agencies to carry out the projects in a timely and coordinated manner. Having these funds and overcoming the funding problems will not result in the accelerated development everybody desires if implementation is problematic and extensive corruption occurs.
We have capable officials at the helm of the government. If they fail to do their jobs effectively, then this region will be in great trouble. Our hold on political power and influence has never been this good, but we can still fail to capitalize.
Our hopes are high now, but will the present administration deliver? That is the question.
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