Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. met this afternoon with Congresswoman Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta and former Congressman Mike Gorriceta to seek support for the ongoing development of the proposed Iloilo Government Center in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
The governor presented the plan to the Second District solon, requesting assistance for the completion of the access road leading to the government center site. While the provincial government has already begun construction, funding is still needed to finish approximately 600 meters of the road to fully connect it to the site.
He also sought their support for future developments that are expected to boost the economic growth of Santa Barbara, which forms part of the Second District.
Santa Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial also joined the meeting. The governor also sought the help of Mayor Superficial in the relocation of the initial 71 households that will be affected by the construction of the access road.
Gov. Defensor said the affected households will be relocated to the provincial government acquired property in Barangay Agusipan, Santa Barbara under the Purok Resilience Program.
Congresswoman Gorriceta assured Governor Defensor that she will prioritize funding for the completion of the access road and expressed her full support for the Iloilo Government Center project.
To note, the DPWH-6 is currently undertaking site development in the area, including drainage excavation, roadway embankment, and the construction of drainage and slope protection structures.
The agency has likewise started Phase I of a six-storey multi-purpose building.
Governor Defensor earlier disclosed that the project had already received a ₱100 million allocation under the General Appropriations Act of 2024 for the building’s first phase, with additional funding requests submitted to the national government.
The Iloilo Government Center will rise on a 6.3-hectare provincial lot spanning Barangays Bolong Oeste and Inangayan in Santa Barbara. Designed as a state-of-the-art facility, it will integrate sustainable design, smart technology, and efficient government operations.
Governor Defensor also noted that the project will be presented to potential private partners, given the substantial funding requirements.
With government facilities soon to rise, the area is envisioned as a prime location for hotels and commercial establishments, owing to its proximity to the Iloilo Golf and Country Club and the Iloilo International Airport.
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