ILOILO City – Amid the uncertainties due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the accomplishments of the Duterte administration in the regional hub of Western Visayas are undeniable through the construction of various infrastructure facilities.
Major projects have helped boost the local economy by creating jobs, paving the way for investments, and creating more tourist destinations. Thus, senatorial aspirant and former Public Works secretary Mark Villar ensures the continuation and timely implementation of these projects with the goal of improving tourism, stimulating the economy, and providing more opportunities and jobs for Filipinos.
“Sobrang nakakataba po ng puso na makita ang mga proyektong ito. This is a great reminder po na we are in the right direction of turning our vision into reality. High-impact projects have been made possible through the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program. Kaya patuloy lamang po akong nakaalalay sa ahensya,” Villar said in the statement.
These facilities are in line with the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) strategic programs and policies geared towards traffic decongestion; integrated and seamless transport system; convergence and rural road development; and livable, sustainable, and resilient communities.
For the past six years, DPWH has constructed, rehabilitated, improved, and widened a total of 1,984 km of roads, 435 bridges, 461 flood mitigation structures, and 11,264 classrooms in Western Visayas.
“The public will benefit from the ongoing high-impact projects which aim to promote better connectivity and road safety in various towns, cities, and provinces,” said Villar.
BORACAY CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD
In December last year, DPWH opened 8.73 km of the 21.64-km Boracay Circumferential Road which provides faster access to various destinations on the island.
Almost half of the entire stretch has been improved and DPWH is set to undertake the remaining 11.68 km to bring transport relief to both locals and visitors of Boracay Island.
KALIBO BRIDGE 3
In the earlier part of 2020, DPWH completed the 770-lineal meter Kalibo Bridge 3 in Aklan – considered as the longest concrete bridge in Western Visayas.
The circumferential road will reduce travel time from Kalibo to Makato to 45 minutes from the usual one hour and 30 minutes. This will also provide access to Caticlan which is the jump-off point to Boracay Island, hence, benefiting approximately 6,000 daily local and foreign travelers.
ILOILO ESPLANADE
In Iloilo City, DPWH completed the construction of the P1.119-billion Iloilo Esplanade projects on both sides of the Iloilo River. Considered the longest linear park in the country with a length of 6.96 km, the Iloilo Esplanade serves as a venue for social, wellness and recreational activities of the Ilonggos.
UNGKA AND AGANAN FLYOVERS
The construction of two flyovers along the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue is continuing. These flyovers will cut travel time from Iloilo City to the Iloilo Airport from the usual 45 minutes to only 20 minutes.
MAAYON-SARA ROAD
Also, on Panay Island is the ongoing construction of the P790-million Maayon (Capiz) – Sara (Iloilo) By-Pass Road, which provides a new connection between the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz. The 36.8-km, two-lane new road opening with six bridges starts in Sara in northern Iloilo to Maayon in Capiz province.
PANAY EAST-WEST LATERAL ROAD
DPWH is also undertaking the construction of the Panay East-West Lateral Road. This 49-kilometer new road opening with nine bridges, which starts from Lambunao in Iloilo (21 kilometers) to Valderrama in Antique (28 kilometers), traversing Panay mountain ranges, will provide alternate linkage to the provinces of Antique, Iloilo and Capiz. Also included in the project is the improvement of 8-kmr local road which connects the national road.
COMON-SAN PEDRO COASTAL ROAD
The construction of Brgy. Comon-San Pedro Coastal Road in San Jose, Antique is in full swing. The project involves the construction of the 7.77-kilometer two-lane road leading to San Jose Port and sunset viewing boulevard; and the provision of an esplanade.
GUIMARAS CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD
In the island province of Guimaras, the ongoing improvement of the 20.85-km Guimaras Circumferential Road is roughly 85 percent completed.
CANDONI-GATUSLAO-BASAY ROAD
In Negros Occidental, the construction and concreting of the 2.20-km Candoni-Gatuslao-Basay Road in Candoni town are already completed. With this new road, traveling from Candoni to Basay, will be reduced to only one hour and 30 minutes from the usual three hours, offering convenience in the transport of goods and services from remote areas, boosting the local economy.
HIMAMAYLAN CITY-NEGROS ORIENTAL BOUNDARY-TAYASAN ROAD
DPWH also completed the construction of the 18.7-km, two-lane national secondary road that connects Negros Occidental (Himamaylan City) and Negros Oriental (Tayasan).
BACOLOD-NEGROS OCCIDENTAL ECONOMIC HIGHWAY
DPWH is undertaking the ongoing construction of the 49.82-km, four-lane Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) which is part of the “Build Build Build” program of the Duterte administration. When completed, traveling from southern and northern Negros to the airport will be reduced by approximately 25 and 40 minutes, respectively, providing ease of travel to roughly 20,000 daily travelers.
“The ‘Build, Build, Build’ program continues to implement high-impact infrastructure projects and successfully providing quality infrastructures and services responsive to the needs of every Filipino,” said Villar./PN
