DPWH Antique bares readiness to build Pandan-Libertad Road
San Jose, Antique -- "The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is ready to supervise the implementation of Pandan - Libertad Road as soon as winning contractor is known", said Engr. Rafael Valenzuela, District Engineer, DPWH Antique Engineering District.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address particularly mentioned that Pandan-Libertad road is waiting for Japan to approve the contractors. The 28 kilometer-road will connect Boracay, a leading overall tourist destination in central Philippines to the newly declared Nature Park in Northwest Panay Peninsula.
DPWH Antique has designated Nathan Arguelles as Special Agent to negotiate with owners of affected structures of the road right of way of Pandan-Libertad road. "We have in fact paid more than 50% of the affected structure amounting to more than P2 million which is a requisite before the construction starts", said Merrel Luchavez, Engineer III of DPWH Antique.
Engr. Valenzula further said that the Project Management Office in DPWH central office has the jurisdiction of the project, the only responsibility of the Antique Engineering District is to settle the road right of way and ensure that affected individuals cooperate and demolish the affected structures.
Concreting of Pandan-Libertad road will not only boost eco-tourism in northern Antique but also enhance agricultural productivity and economic enterprises. It will also strengthen business in northern Antique. The town of Culasi few kilometers away from Pandan has sea port where big vessels plying Manila, Mindoro and Semirara Island in Caluya dock while Libertad has a wharf which hosts cargo and passenger boats from Mindoro and Caluya
Meanwhile, DPWH Antique continues to conduct regular maintenance of roads and bridges in the province particularly those prone to soil erosion/landslides especially now that rainy season has started. The agency has on-going projects on farm to market roads, multi-purpose centers and school building program funded under the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Congressman Exequiel Javier.
(PIA)