DPWH facilitates pre-construction activity for Antique's two major road networks
SAN JOSE, Antique -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is on the process of facilitating requirements for pre-construction activities of Antique's major road networks, Pandan- Libertad Road in the north and Antique/Iloilo Anini-y – Villavert Jimenez Road in the south.
Engr. Rafael Valenzuela in an interview said that for Pandan-Libertad Road, the payment of the road right-of-way which is part of the pre-construction has just finished in the amount of P4 million. Funded by Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), the bidding of the project is set this month. Meanwhile, the counterpart of the Government of the Philippines in the amount of P75 million will be released soon as it is included in the DPWH budget FY 2008 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act 9498).
As stated in 2007 State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the concreting of Pandan-Libertad Road will provide easy access not only for Antiqueños in northern Antique but also for foreign and local tourists who travel in the nautical highway going to Boracay and other tourist destination in Central Visayas.
For Iloilo/Antique Anini-y – Villavert Jimenez Road Concreting project, the local DPWH is still on the process of preparing documents for the payment of road right of way. "We have allocated P5 million for the partial payment of structures and properties affected by the construction," said Engr. Valenzuela.
The 42-kilometer road going to San Joaquin, Iloilo from Villavert Jimenez, Hamtic passing through the municipalities of Tobias Fornier and Anini-y has a total appropriation of P272.621 million under the 2008 Infrastructure Program of DPWH.
Anini-y-Villavert Jimenez Road will serve as alternative route going to Iloilo particularly during rainy days where Hamtic- Iloilo road more often experienced landslides/soil erosion. The new route will not only provide easy access to commuters in the said areas but will also open doors for tourism and other economic ventures.
Engr. Valenzuela enjoined all road users to cooperate with the maintenance crew of DPWH and the local government units to ensure the roads are safe for the commuting public and to those affected by the road right of way to help negotiators prepare their documents so that they will be paid on time. (PS Mabaquiao/PIA)