By Nycel Jane Dela
Every time I drive through Lawa-an in Roxas City and see the growing skyline, my heart swells with pride and worry at the same time. Ang syudad naton nagauswag na gid and it feels like Capiz is finally stepping into the future. Pero para kay sin o bala ini nga pag-uswag?”
This 670-hectare township called Pueblo de Panay is the biggest mixed-use development in the Visayas, with tens of thousands of people walking its streets every day and businesses from homes to offices rising up along its roads.
Pueblo de Panay become an economic magnet and lifestyle hub for Roxas City. Here, the biggest mall in Northern Panay, Robinsons Place Roxas, draws families and friends to shop, eat, and hang out more often than our old downtown ever did. The township has employment hubs, IT-BPM parks, and residential communities that promise a life.work.balance lifestyle, something young professionals and families often dream about.
On top of that, big pieces of public infrastructure are moving here too. In January 2024, officials led by Governor Fredenil “Oto” Castro broke ground on a brand-new Capiz Provincial Capitol within Pueblo de Panay. This building, designed to improve access to services and streamline government work, will replace the century-old capitol near the old Roxas City Plaza.
And just as important, the new Roxas City Hall is under construction through a partnership between the local government under Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and Pueblo de Panay, which local leaders say symbolizes shared vision for progress.
These developments make me hopeful. Sign na ini sang dako nga oportunidad for our people, especially for our youth who want good jobs without leaving home. Few thought a township like this could exist outside Metro Manila or Cebu. Yet today Pueblo de Panay draws visitors, investments, and events that bring pride to Capiz.
But progress also comes with a question of fairness. When houses and shops originally built by long-time residents become surrounded by towering condos and corporate offices, will their voices still matter? Will the cost of living rise so fast that ang manggaranon lang ang makabenepisyo?
Development like this can be a gift if it truly uplifts everyone and stays humble to our Capiznon roots. That means affordable homes, strong support for small business owners, and listening to residents who fear being left behind. Pueblo de Panay is an exciting chapter for our province, but we must ensure it becomes a story of shared success and not just a polished window for outsiders.
Ang progreso dapat para sa tanan.
