Town execs want longer national road

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial road that Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon wants converted into a national road is now six kilometers longer.

Salimbangon has filed House Bill 2417 at the House of Representatives, which seeks to convert the 15-kilometer provincial road from Curva, Medellin to Malingin, Daanbantayan into a national road.

Officials of Daanbantayan town, however, recommended to include in the project another six kilometers of provincial road from Malingin up to Poblacion.

The Malingin road was concreted as part of the Curva-Bagay-Daanbantayan road while the Curva, Medellin-Malingin, Daanbantayan road was asphalted during the term of then governor Pablo Garcia.

This prompted Salimbangon to seek amendment of his earlier bill to include the remaining provincial road.

Last Monday, the Provincial Board passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Sun Shimura to support the amendment.

Salimbangon’s bill is pending before the House Committee on Public Works and Highways.

The proposed conversion of the provincial road has been endorsed by the Provincial Development Council chaired by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Once the road is converted into a national road, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can use an allocated P145 million to improve the road.

Salimbangon said the endorsement can strengthen his request to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson to set aside P145 million for road concreting.

Salimbangon said the concreting of national roads in the fourth district are nearly completed, which is why he now wants to help the provincial government by taking care of provincial roads.

Salimbangon has asked the provincial government if the said road can be converted into a national road so that maintenance can be funded by the national government.

Funds would also be allocated annually to ensure maintenance, upkeep and serviceability of the road.

The Curva, Medellin-Malingin, Daanbantayan road is the main road leading to the ongoing construction of a roll-on/roll-off port in Barangay Maya, the northern tip of the Province of Cebu.

It will be a component of the national nautical highway.

Salimbangon has filed proposed measures to make the fourth district a tourism and economic zone and has obtained endorsement from the DPWH for the allocation of budget for the concreting of national roads in the district.  (FREEMAN)