Domestic and foreign tourists will soon experience seamless, faster travel to and from the Iloilo International Airport as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducts a three-phase road upgrading project along Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue or Iloilo Diversion Road.
Based on a report submitted by DPWH Region VI Director Lea N. Delfinado, the road upgrading project measuring a total of 5.44 kilometers will be implemented in the towns of Pavia and Sta. Barbara using the total budget allocation of P72.4-million from the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The road upgrading project involves the application of asphalt overlay on the 3-lane concrete road, with earthworks, and the construction of slope protection structure to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users from the threat of road erosion or landslide during heavy rains.
Implementation of the project is divided into three (3) with section 1 measuring a total of 1.5 kilometers from Barangay Ungka 1 to Barangay Ungka 2 (before the approach of the ongoing construction of Aganan Flyover) in the town of Pavia; section 2 which is 2.89 kilometers long from Barangay Mali-ao in the town of Pavia to Barangay Cabugao in the town of Sta. Barbara; and section 3, with the length of 1 kilometer traversing from Barangay Dama to Barangay Airport Road, also in the town of Sta. Barbara.
Section 1 has been completed while Section 2 and 3 is being fast-tracked towards completion this month of October just in time for the holiday season.
The DPWH is also planning to upgrade the adjacent 3-lane road from Iloilo International Airport leading to Iloilo City to be also implemented by DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office.
Aside from safer and comfortable travel, this project is deemed vital to reduce noise pollution, increase economic activities in the province, bolster tourism, and lessen carbon dioxide emission as it doesn’t require vehicular engines to exert much effort, hence making it environment-friendly.