The improved 1.11-kilometer access road along the Iloilo East Coast Capiz Road – Passi-San Rafael-Lemery-Sara Road leading to the Banate Port is now benefitting commuters and easing transport of goods and services in Iloilo and the island of Panay.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar said that the P19.6-million road enhancement was made possible by the DPWH Iloilo 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO), which finished the project ahead of schedule.
The concreted 2-lane, 6.7-meter wide road along Iloilo East Coast Capiz Road – Passi-San Rafael-Lemery-Sara Road in Banate, Iloilo also includes provision of slope protection, cross drainage, and thermoplastic pavement markings to ensure safety of road users.
With this paved road, travel time from the towns in northern Iloilo to Banate Port via San Rafael-Sara-Lemery-San Enrique Road is now reduced from 40 minutes to only 25 minutes, saving at least 15 minutes. Also, traveling from the provinces of Capiz and Aklan will be reduced by about 45 minutes.
Banate Port is one of the gateways for sea transportation in and out of Panay Island, making this road upgrading project a vital development in the area to open opportunities for economic progress while also providing faster and more comfortable travel among motorists and commuters.