In a significant move to enhance economic growth in Western Visayas, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have vowed to complete road connectivity projects valued at PHP130 million. These initiatives fall under the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program, which aims to improve access to vital industries and economic zones throughout the region.
On February 5, 2025, representatives from both departments convened to review the progress of nine projects that have been underway since 2018 and are slated for completion by 2024. DTI Regional Director Rachel Nufable emphasized the strategic importance of these road enhancements, particularly in areas hosting shared service facilities (SSF), to stimulate investment and economic activity.
“Improving infrastructure in these key locations is crucial for driving further investment and economic growth in Western Visayas,” Nufable stated in a press release.
Specific projects include the boundary access road in Altavas, Aklan, which will support coconut processing, food processing, and banig production. In Antique, the focus is on bolstering the agribusiness sector in Sibalom, with another project connecting Barangays San Ramon, Latazon, and Liberato to the Iloilo-Antique road, Laua-an public market, and a muscovado sugar processing and packaging plant.
In Negros Occidental, the projects aim to facilitate access for the micro-food processing industry in Bacolod City’s Barangays Handumanan and Vista Alegre. Meanwhile, in Capiz, two projects will support the abaca industry in Jamindan and the cacao industry in Tapaz.
These roads are designed to link businesses directly to markets, processing facilities, and major highways, thereby enhancing trade and development across the region.
The ROLL IT Program, formalized through a memorandum of agreement, fosters a collaborative effort between DPWH and DTI. The DPWH is tasked with identifying roads in need of upgrades, while the DTI focuses on prioritizing industries that will benefit most from these improvements.