The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently working to provide an alternative route to better reconnect municipalities in Iloilo by improving the Mina-Badiangan Diversion Road in the central part of the province.
DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado, citing reports from DPWH Regional Office 6 Director Tiburcio DL. Canlas, said that the improvement of the Mina-Badiangan Diversion Road involves the concreting of 12 intermittent sections of existing gravel portions of road with a total length of 10.77 kilometers.
The P351.79-million project, which is funded through the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA) under Various Infrastructure Including Local Projects (VIILP), will traverse a total of 11 barangays between the towns of Mina and Badiangan.
Upgrading the gravel portions of the whole stretch of the road, which starts from Brgy. Talibong Grande in Mina to Brgy. Mapili Grande in Badiangan, will strengthen connectivity in the area since it is linked to the national road going to Lambunao Town. It will also complement the existing concrete road undertaken by the provincial government.
Project scopes of work include construction of one-span, 30-meter pre-stressed concrete girder type IV-B bridge on composite pile foundation with approaches; construction of 2-lane, 3.35-meter wide portland concrete cement pavement; and construction of slope protection and provision of road safety devices.
“When completed, the alternate road can accommodate increasing traffic volume and lessen travel time from Mina to Badiangan. We also hope for the enhancement of economic condition in the towns as basic government services will be more accessible even for far-flung barangays,” Secretary Mercado said.