BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he supports the construction and completion of the Silay-Patag-Cadiz-Calatrava road project, pointing out it would help uplift the lives of the people living in the area.
The said road project is located inside the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP) and was constructed under the condition no environmental violations are committed.
The project also has the necessary permits including an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
However, the project has also seen opposition from the Catholic Church, as well as various environmentalist groups in Negros Occidental.
The opposition even forwarded a letter to then President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and even to Lacson urging them to call off the construction of the roadway.
According to Lacson, the situation in the areas where the road traverses will further improve, pointing out the other road projects in the mountainous areas of the province.
He pointed out that it will also greatly shorten the travel time for vehicles, and would give greater access for Negrenses to trade their produce and access basic services in the towns and cities in the area.
The construction of the P125-million road project was started back in June of 2019 and was supposed to be completed by March of 2020./PN
