PIA Press Release
2008/07/26
Davao City (26 July) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is determined to hit the December 2009 completion date set for the Talaingod-Bukidnon road project, which is part of the super region development program.
"We are committed to complete this before the end of PGMA's term." DPWH Regional Director Jerome dela Rosa said in an interview.
A P1.6 billion-project, the Talaingod-Bukidnon Road stretches a total length of 51 kilometers which includes an 11-kilometer stretch to be opened for the road to pass through San Fernando in Bukidnon, Dela Rosa said.
Starting at the juncture in Kapalong going through Talaingod up to San, Fernando in Bukidnon, the road project is divided into eight work packages involving road improvement, concreting, widening and opening.
Dela Rosa has bared developments of the road project saying the remaining six contract packages have been on-going and that contractors have been given notice to proceed last month.
Since the Talaingod-Bukidnon Road started in 2006, one contract package has been completed and another one has been on-going even before the rest, Dela Rosa explained.
The contractors which are working on the remaining six contract packages are Rely Construction, PL Sebastian, ARN, Person, Ulticon Builders with Person Construction.
ARN Construction has cornered contract packages 8 and 4.
Once finished, the road project which is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Super Region Project is expected to cut travel time in going to Bukidnon.
It is also seen to spur economic development of Davao del Norte and Bukidnon particularly of the areas where the road traverses.
"The road will improve the living condition of the people in the area. They can easily transport their products to (urban centers) in Davao del Norte or in Bukidnon; they can be accessible by the social services of the government." Dela Rosa said.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa gave credit to Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario who was the one who hatched the idea of connecting Davao del Norte to Bukidnon through connecting road passing through Talaingod.
"This is his brain-child," he said.
In a separate interview with the DXRP Radyo ng Bayan Davao, Del Rosario said the opening of Talaingod-Bukidnon road would spell economic development as this would trigger direct trade between the two provinces. He said the road project will primarily benefit the indigenous people communities in the areas where the road traverses. (PIA-DavComval/JMDA)
__________________________________________________________________
