BORACAY – The road rehabilitation works in this island resort will greatly depend on Task Force Kapatid – a volunteer group with members from 10 electric cooperatives in Western Visayas – according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assistant regional director Jose Al Fruto.
Task Force Kapatid was mobilized beginning Sept. 6 to help in restoring the power system in Boracay by relocating electrical posts affected by the road widening project.
“We badly needed the Task Force Kapatid in Boracay,” said Fruto. “We cannot fully rehabilitate if wala sila. Hindi maibabalik at masu-sustain if may maiiwang mga utilities. Dapat sabay-sabay, tulong-tulong at nagkakaisa.”
Boracay is scheduled to reopen on Oct. 26 after its half-year closure and rehabilitation.
“Ang babalikan ng turista ay better Boracay na. Hopefully in a month, baka mapapaiksi pa natin ang rehabilitasyon,” Fruto added.
The DWPH started its road widening project on June 29. It has four months left to substantially complete the P490-million project – a 4.12-kilometer road from Barangay Manoc-manoc to Barangay Balabag.
The project also covers the construction of new drainage systems, bike lanes, and path ways.
“Kapag hindi natin napaaga ang paglipat ng electric posts at linya we cannot also complete the kalsada. Dapat ilagay sa tama ang mga poste na nakaka-obstruct sa linya ng drainage. Ito ay ililipat sa edge ng 12-meter right-of-way road,” Fruto said.
Task Force Kapatid is composed of 80 technical personnel from the Iloilo Electric Cooperative I, Iloilo Electric Cooperative II, Iloilo Electric Cooperative III, Capiz Electric Cooperative, Guimaras Electric Cooperative, Antique Electric Cooperative, Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative, Central Negros Electric Cooperative, and Aklan Electric Cooperative. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
