[ Manila Bulletin Online ] August 5, 2008
CONCEPCION, Tarlac -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) reiterated yesterday its assurance that it will deliver its commitment to the farmers and concerned local government units of Tarlac in connection with the construction of service roads that will be connected to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
The government-run BCDA said it has earmarked P19.86 million for the construction of service roads in the affected communities. At present, the construction of 15 service roads is nearing completion.
Beyond that amount, the municipal government of Concepcion, Tarlac may have to shoulder the additional budget as this is stipulated in a memorandum of agreement (MoA) signed by BCDA President Narciso Abaya and Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva.
"We assure the farmers that we are still here. We have started the construction of the 15 service roads, and we are not leaving until we finish the work," said Robert Gervacio, BCDA spokesperson for SCTEX.
He said the construction of the service roads and overpasses is BCDA’s commitment stipulated in the MoA with Mayor Villanueva, who identified the locations of the service roads and overpasses.
The 15 service roads now have an average completion rate of 60 percent, while the eight overpasses have been completed.
Gervacio said that despite the fact these are under construction, the service roads can now be used. He said that most of the service roads were originally foot trails.
"Now, these have been dramatically widened and are now being constructed into all-weather service roads," he said.
Gervacio, who is also SCTEX program manager, aired the assurance in reaction to the farmers’ complaint that the 93.7-kilometer toll road has cut off access to their farms.
Gervacio said that the construction of an additional service road in Barangay Ligaya 2 in Capas town as proposed by Barangay Captain Jesus Lising can no longer be accommodated, adding that it is Mayor Villanueva’s responsibility to provide the fund for the additional service roads as stipulated in the supplemental MoA between BCDA and the municipal government of Concepcion.
Moreover, Mayor Villanueva had also asked for irrigation pipes in lieu of livelihood projects.
To resolve the impasse, Gervacio called on Villanueva and Lising to get their acts together. "I think they should settle things by themselves," Gervacio said.
At the same time, he urged the local officials to help obtain right of way for the service roads.
Villanueva had haled the BCDA into a local court for the delays, but the judge dropped the case for lack of merit.
