He added that another P4.2 billion will be needed for IFCP’s Stage 2.

“I push for the implementation of Stage 2 but a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) representative said it would take a three-year evaluation and 1-year approval. I won’t be the mayor anymore,” Treñas explained.

The mayor said Stage 1 of the project involves rehabilitation of Carpenter Bridge linking Molo and Mandurriao districts, embankments at Iloilo River, floodway from Pavia to the city, improvement of Ticud Creek in La Paz, and construction of two service roads and six bridges in several waterways.

A five-kilometer 100-meter wide floodway which looks like a “new river” in Brgy. Tacas, Jaro district will be installed to divert the huge volume of floodwater flowing down the city from Tigum and Aganan rivers in Pavia.

He said Stage 2 will cover the improvements of Jaro River Mouth and Dungon Creek, among others.

Earlier, Treñas said the project is the fruit of local officials’ tireless efforts in wooing the President to allocate counterpart funds to realize the implementation.

The project is financed through a loan provided by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

“There had been reports that the project faced cancellation because there was no counterpart budget from the national government. But we had succeeded (in getting) the President’s nod to support the project,” Treñas said.

He added that city officials, barangay captains, urban poor and even local business sectors had petitioned to President Gloria Arroyo for the IFCP to push through.

“The President said she owed a lot to the Ilonggos because of the big votes she gained here during the 2004 elections reason why she ensured the project’s funding,” said Treñas.

The mayor said the IFCP became the biggest development plan for the city.

He added that some 3,000 projected-affected families who are mostly squatters are provided with a 32-hecatre relocation site to be furnished with needed facilities and services like road, drainage system, lighting, school, mini-market and bridge in Brgy. San Isidro in Jaro district.

“These are good projects that will contribute to local development,” Treñas said.