BY FELIPE CELINO

ROXAS City — Gov. Victor Tanco has called for more private sector involvement in realizing major public sector investments in Western Visayas.

Tanco said the private sector is needed to fast track traditionally major public sector investments.

These investments, he said, include power generation using renewable energy, water distribution, toll ways, and airports and seaports, among others.

As the new chairperson of the Regional Development Council 6 (RDC-6), Tanco spoke during the body’s inaugural meeting at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center on Friday.

He cited the private sector, businessmen and the investors as the main engines for the growth of regional and national economies.

Tanco hopes that local government units will look more intently on their social indicators and, with the help of regional line agencies, take care of basic services for their respective constituents.

“Our efforts must be focused on attracting as many domestic and foreign direct investments to locate their projects in Western Visayas and not elsewhere,” he said.

Also during the meeting, the RDC-6 approved the new Medium-Term Regional Development Plan for Western Visayas covering 2011–2016, as well as the National Economic Development Authority’s (NEDA) project on “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation in Provincial Planning.”

The NEDA project is assisted by the United Nations Development Program and the Australian Aid for International Development.

Tanco also urged local government units to make Western Visayas attractive to investors.

“Our priority for the coming years is precisely to make Western Visayas attractive to investors,” the governor said.

Sen. Franklin Drilon served as the RDC’s inaugural meeting guest speaker.

Also present were Ma. Luisa Segovia of the Iloilo Business Club Inc., RDC-6 co-chair; governors, mayors, president of the League of Municipalities, president of capital towns, member regional line agencies and private sector representatives.

Tanco said the next RDC meeting will be held in this city in April to coincide with the celebration of Capiz’s Foundation Day./PN

Asis reelected CAPELCO 
director for Roxas City

BY FELIPE CELINO

ROXAS City — Salvador Asis again won as board of director for Roxas City district of the Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO) in an election held on Saturday.

Asis got 2,341 votes, defeating lone opponent Engr. Santiago Alati-it who only got 1,501 votes.

The reelected board of director was reportedly supported by the Ugyon Kita Capiz while Alati-it was supported by the Liberal Party.

Asis, 42, vowed to increase the financial assistance given to victims of electrocution due to the cooperative’s negligence.

In the past years, the cooperative has been giving a small amount of financial assistance to victims of electrocution, Asis said.

“I think it’s high time to increase this, considering that CAPELCO is now rated as A-plus positive cooperative,” he said.

In February 23, 2008, Asis ran unopposed during the board of directors elections, making him sit for his first term.

Asis, son of Dr. Ramon Asis and Nieva Alba, is a resident of Brgy. Baybay here.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in 1986, and passed the Civil Engineering board examination the following year./PN

LAPSUS CALAMI

ATTY. NAPOLEON ODUCADO, RIP
LAWYER Napoleon Oducado of Roxas City passed away last Monday, January 31, at 7 p.m. He was 69.
He died at St. Anthony Hospital, Roxas City due to severe lung complications.
A legal luminary, Oducado was the former provincial legal officer of then Gov. Vic. Bermejo. 
When the governor was elected mayor of Roxas City, he brought along Oducado as city legal officer.
His remains lie in state at his residence in Brgy. Tiza, Roxas City.
Interment will be announced later.
Requiescat in pace, Atty. Oducado.