BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is appealing for public understanding due to the disruptions and traffic congestion caused by the ongoing construction of the Cabug-Handumanan Road.
According to his spokesperson, Atty. Caesar Distrito, Benitez also urged the contractor to expedite the project, aiming for completion before the end of the year, well ahead of the September 2025 deadline.
The mayor reassured residents that traffic issues and other inconveniences are being actively managed by all agencies involved.
“Please bear with us during these temporary disruptions,” he said, emphasizing the long-term benefits of smoother and more efficient travel once the project is complete.
The road has been a notorious problem for decades, attracting complaints from residents, motorists, and commuters alike, and earning nicknames like “abortion road” and “accident-prone road” due to its poor condition.
It wasn’t until the current administration that efforts were finally made to address these issues.
The construction, which started on April 5, 2024, encompasses a 1.3-kilometer stretch and includes improvements to drainage systems.
Despite recent concerns over slow progress, adverse weather conditions, and severe traffic due to one-way road sections, the project is 20 percent complete and not officially delayed, the mayor clarified.
He directed the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office to enhance traffic management around the construction sites to mitigate congestion.
Distrito said construction equipment has been hampered by heavy traffic, but efforts are ongoing to resolve these challenges efficiently./PN
