The convergence program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) has accomplished a total of five (5) road and bridge projects in Western Visayas leading to tourism destinations in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH Region 6 Director Edilberto D. Tayao said the completed projects with total cost of P121.82 million include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of two roads and two bridges in Iloilo City namely: the 4-lane, 376.50-lineal meter J. M. Basa-Gen. Hughes-Fort San Pedro Road costing P27.12 million; 2-lane, 480-lineal meter Rizal Street in Lapaz District costing P12.7 million; 20-lineal meter San Lorenzo Bridge costing P14 million and 25.0-lineal meter Rizal Bridge costing P18 million.
Also completed is the rehabilitation of 2,401.0-lineal meter access road leading to “The Ruins” in Talisay City in Negros Occidental with the amount of P50 million. The Ruins is a pre-war ruins of mansion considered as the Taj Mahal of Negros being designed by owner as a monument to his enduring love to his wife. It is now being visited by both foreign and local tourists.
According to Tayao, aside from these recently completed projects, DPWH is also accelerating the implementation of eleven (11) more tourism road projects throughout Western Visayas Region.
Among the ongoing projects are: the 4,613-lineal meter access road in Tibao, Antique which leads to White Water Kayaking, Tibiao Ecopark and Tibiao Fish Spa, P110 million; 2,836-lineal meter access road leading to Mambukal Resort in Murcia, Negros Occidental, P60 million; 3,075-lineal meter Bacolod City Boundary Road from La Salle Ecopark to Mt. Mandalagan, P100 million; and 7,785-lineal meter Bacolod City Boundary Road from Lacson Street to La Salle Ecopark, P140 million.
There are also road improvement projects in Leganes-Sta. Barbara Road leading to heritage sites in Iloilo City at P60.0 million; San Miguel-Sta. Barbara Road leading to Sta. Barbara Golf Course, Iloilo, P78.055 million; Iloilo-Capiz Road (Old Route) from Iloilo City-Pavia Boundary to Aganan Bridge in Pavia, Iloilo, P58.945 million; Tangalan-Ibajay Road in Aklan, P98.0 million; and Silay-Lantawan-Patag Access Road to Bacolod Silay Airport Road, with P200.0 million allocation.
Moreover, Negros Occidental First District Engineering Office is undertaking rehabilitation and reconstruction for the P50-million Bacolod-Murcia-Don Salvador Benedicto-San Carlos City Road to Mambukal Resort and Alindahaw Falls respectively and the P40-million rehabilitation of Access Road leading to Gawahon Resort in Victorias City.