WHILE CONSTRUCTION for the P11-billion Jalaur megadam in Calinog, Iloilo has yet to start more than seven years after its groundbreaking, another dam project has been lined up by national government. The Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II is on hold due to a legal case over the bidding process. Meantime, the P19.3-billion Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) in Capiz, included in the Duterte government’s priority infrastructure list, is scheduled to commence in 2018, according to the National Irrigation Administration-Western Visayas regional office (NIA-6). Regional Manager Gerardo P. Corsiga said the feasibility study (FS) for the project is already completed and will be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Central Office for further evaluation. “We already have the endorsement from the Regional Development Council. The next step will be the submission of the FS to NEDA,” Mr. Corsiga said in a radio interview. He added that they are also waiting for confirmation on the funding scheme, but the Chinese government has previously expressed interest to finance the dam project. “Approval of projects is fast under the Duterte administration, so hopefully early next year we can have the signing of the loan agreement… then start the implementation,” he said. The PRBIDP is designed to serve 15 towns of Capiz province, including Roxas City, as well as neighboring municipalities in Iloilo such as Lemery, San Rafael and Bingawan. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

OFFICIALS OF the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in central Visayas have been directed to resolve the 815 pending applications for Uber and GrabCar in Cebu. LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III, in a press conference in Cebu on Tuesday, said the regional office should start processing the applications so drivers of these ride-hailing mobile applications could already acquire a provisional authority (PA). Mr. Delgra stressed that the applicants should first comply with all the requirements. Of the 815 pending applications, 693 are from Uber and 122 are from GrabCar. LTFRB Assistant Regional Director Rey Elnar, meanwhile, said 21 of the 103 transport network vehicle services (TNVS) operators and drivers, who were given a PA to operate for 45 days and renewable for another 45 days, have renewed their PAs. — The Freeman

THE PHILIPPINE Reclamation Authority has identified 20 illegal reclamation projects in the town of Consolacion in northern Cebu, have of which have already been given a cease and desist order Jamilo E. Rubiato, PRA general manager and chief executive officer, said the other 10 sites are still being evaluated. “These are illegal reclamation projects because they do not have a prior approval from PRA, among others,” said Mr. Rubiato. The projects range from one to five hectares, some of which are being sold as residential lots. Mr. Rubiato said the reclamation projects undertaken without the required approval of the PRA shall be considered illegal and will be forfeited to the State. “Filing of cases against violators is a tedious process. It will just be forfeited in favor of State,” he said. The PRA head also said he has already asked Consolacion Mayor Teresa P. Alegado to help them identify the owners of these alleged illegal reclamation projects. Ms. Alegado said these reclamation projects were implemented during the time of her predecessor. — The Freeman