Alternate routes for road project studied

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines— Possible alternate routes have been considered by local officials over the ongoing diversion road project connecting this city and Sibulan town in Negros Oriental.

This matter was discussed in a Thursday meeting among Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd district, Negros Oriental), Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, Sibulan Mayor Emmanuel Diputado and DPWH 2nd Engineering District head Ricardo Duran.

The officials agreed to look for alternative routes for the diversion road connecting Dumaguete and Sibulan, following some snags that may slow down the project implementation.

One of the problems was the acquisition of road-right-of-way (RROW), of which some affected property owners have either opposed it or selling their lots at very high price.

Last year, the DPWH began implementing the P50-million road construction in the Dumaguete side of the project, while this year, it has allocated another P50 million for the Sibulan portion.

Officials, during Thursday's meeting, discussed various options that will entail minimal damage to property and reduce problems on acquisition of RROW.

Diputado proposed an alternate route, running from Brgy. Camanjac in Dumaguete City via Calabnugan, Ata-Ata, San Antonio, Mainit, Looc down to the national highway in Sibulan. This particular route had been opened when Arnaiz was governor of Negros Oriental, eight or ten years ago.

Diputado said he was hoping the DPWH central office will approve this alternate route, which will double as a farm-to-market road that would benefit many residents in the hinterlands of Sibulan.

Sagarbarria, for his part, wished to find another alternate route to minimize the number of structures and private properties to be affected by the project.

Arnaiz, meanwhile, called for cooperation from the people for the diversion road project to be successful.

He was hopeful that officials of Bacong, where a small part of its barangay will be affected, will not pose any problem in the implementation.

The congressman said the coming up of a final route, in the Sibulan portion of the project, is urgently needed otherwise the fund would be realigned.

Duran had admitted that the proposed alternate routes have less problems compared to the original plan and the DPWH will survey these next week to determine their feasibility.  (FREEMAN)