ILOILO CITY, Iloilo — A new program of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is seen to spur the socio-economic growth of Metro Iloilo and Guimaras.
 
USAID has chosen Iloilo as one the three partner cities in the country for its Cities Development Initiative (CDI) program.
 
“This is an opportunity for Iloilo City to harness its potential as one of the growth centers in the region,” said Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
 
An integral component of the US-Philippines Partnership for Growth, CDI aims to address the constraints of investment and economic growth of Iloilo through a public-private partnership (PPP).
 
Panadero considers CDI to be a strong boost in Iloilo City’s role in leading the development and growth of neighboring areas.
 
“I am confident that Iloilo City will further reinforce its leadership role in the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC),” Panadero said.
 
MIGEDC comprises of Iloilo City and neighboring towns of Leganes, Pavia, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel as well as the five towns of the nearby island province of Guimaras.
 
Panadero also added that CDI may even promote the competitiveness of Metro Iloilo-Guimaras as well as transforming MIGEDC into a stronger alliance as those found in the National Capital Region (NCR).
 
Aside from Iloilo, USAID has also selected Batangas and Cagayan de Oro as CDI partners.