GUV GOES ‘DOUBLE-TIME’: Defensor Pledges Faster Rollout of MoRProGRes Agenda

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. vowed to accelerate implementation of his MoRProGRes Iloilo agenda as he took his oath for a third and final term on June 30, surrounded by both political allies and opponents, as well as national and local officials.

In his inaugural speech, Defensor reaffirmed his social justice-centered “whole-of-province” approach, describing it as a “brand of good governance” where inclusivity drives progress.

He emphasized the agenda’s focus on providing basic social services such as food, shelter, education, livelihood and employment.

“We want to maximize agricultural production, create a value chain for agricultural products, and in the process, generate employment and business opportunities for the province’s agri-tourism industry,” he said.

“As an agricultural province, we want to capitalize on our raw products and add value,” he added.

He introduced a new executive order integrating food and health security programs by clustering farms in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.

Harvested palay will be processed at the provincial government’s center in Pototan, as well as at rice processing facilities in Batad and San Rafael.

The rice will be sold through national initiatives such as Kadiwa and Bigasan ng Barangay outlets.

Defensor said the program was born out of the Zero Hunger Summit hosted by the provincial government in August 2024.

“We focus on preventive medicine rather than curative,” he said.

“Food is our medicine, and we should consume it the way we take medicine – at the right time, in the right amount and of the right kind. Food security is health security. Nutrition, rooted in rice, is central to our health program.”

The governor also reiterated his flagship infrastructure initiative – the Smart and Green Government Center—which will rise on a 5.6-hectare provincial property in Barangays Bolong Oeste and Inangayan, Santa Barbara.

The complex will feature four buildings using smart technology and green design.

It will house provincial and national government frontline services, a multi-level parking facility, commercial spaces for BPO firms, hotels and retail establishments.

It will also include a state-of-the-art stadium aligned with Iloilo’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) goals.

“If you want to transact with government, you only need to go to one place,” Defensor said.

“This center is fully digitized and will have four buildings, including a multi-level parking facility. While ambitious, our targets are modest and achievable.”

Defensor said the facility will be completed within his term and will function both as a business park and government hub.

“We want government offices in a corporate environment,” he said.

The provincial government has finalized a development plan for the area, with proposed upgrades including improved roads, drainage, underground cabling, water systems, wastewater treatment and street lighting.

Defensor expressed confidence in completing the project before his term ends, citing support from the private sector and Ilonggo lawmakers.

The provincial government said in a press release that PHP100 million has already been allocated under Republic Act No. 11975 (General Appropriations Act of 2024) for Phase 1 of the multi-purpose building.

Additional requests include PHP100 million from then-Senator Bong Revilla and PHP500 million from Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo.

USWAG Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang, who also attended the oath-taking, urged Iloilo’s five district representatives to contribute PHP100 million each to complete the project.