The Candoni-Gatusalo-Basay Road. - PDI
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Amid the threat and uncertainties due to the ongoing health crisis, the accomplishments of the administration in the regional hub of Western Visayas (Region 6) are undeniable through the construction of various infrastructure facilities.
Major projects have helped boost the local economy of Region 6 by creating jobs, paving the way for investment, and creating more tourist destinations.
Thus, Senatorial aspirant and former Secretary Mark A. 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.
“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 programme,” Villar said in the statement.
These facilities are in line with the Department’s strategic programs and policies geared towards Traffic decongestion; Integrated and seamless transport system; Convergence and rural road development; and Livable, sustainable & resilient communities.
For the past six (6) years DPWH has constructed, rehabilitated, improved, widened a total of 1,984km of roads, 435 bridges, 461 flood mitigation structures, and 11,264 classrooms in region 6 or 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,” Villlar added.
In December last year, DPWH opened the 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 we are set to undertake the remaining 11.68km in the coming years to bring transport relief to both locals and visitors of Boracay Island.
In the earlier part of 2020, DPWH has completed the 770-lineal metre Kalibo Bridge 3 in Aklan which is 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 1 hour 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 travellers.
In Iloilo City, DPWH has completed the construction of ₱1.119-billion Iloilo Esplanade projects on both sides of the Iloilo River in Iloilo City. Considered the longest linear park in the country with a length of 6.96km, the Iloilo Esplanade serves as a venue for social, wellness, and recreational activities of the Ilonggos.
The construction of two (2) flyovers along Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Avenue is also continuing. These flyovers will cut travel time from Iloilo City to Iloilo International Airport by from the usual 45 minutes to only 20 minutes.
Also, on Panay Island is the ongoing construction of the ₱790-million Maayon (Capiz) – Sara (Iloilo) By-Pass Road, which provides a new connection between the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz. The 36.8-km, 2-lane new road opening with six (6) bridges starts in Sara in northern Iloilo to Maayon in Capiz province.
DPWH is also undertaking the construction of Panay East-West Lateral Road, This 49-km new road opening with nine (9) bridges, which starts from Lambunao in Iloilo (21km) to Valderrama in Antique (28km), 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-km local road which connects the national 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-kilometre 2-lane road leading to San Jose Port and sunset viewing boulevard; and the provision of an esplanade.
In the island province of Guimaras, the ongoing improvement of the 20.85-kilometre Guimaras Circumferential Road is roughly 85 per cent completed.
In Negros Occidental, the construction and concreting of the 2.20-kilometre Candoni-Gatuslao-Basay Road in Candoni town are already completed. With this new road, travelling from Candoni to Basay will be reduced to only 1 hour 30 minutes from the usual 3 hours, offering convenience in the transport of goods and services from remote areas, boosting the local economy.
