Davide: Hurry up on road repairs

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has directed the Provincial Engineering Office to speed up the repair of all provincial roads and other infrastructures damaged by tropical storm Seniang.

The Provincial Government is set to start rehabilitating the provincial roads in the municipalities of Alcantara and Barili, which were among the towns that reported of impassable provincial roads after Seniang’s onslaught.

The Provincial Information Office reported that heavy equipment needed for the rehabilitation and eight culverts were already sent to Alcantara last January 6.

In an effort to speed up the repair and rehabilitation works, the Provincial Capitol will purchase heavy equipment ‘as soon as possible.’

In December last year, the Provincial Board during a special session granted the governor authority to undertake negotiations and enter into agreement with “competent financial institutions” for the province’s plan to acquire brand new heavy equipment and vehicles amounting to P200 million.

The equipment and vehicles will be utilized for the construction and maintenance of provincial and barangay roads.

The province’s information office, quoting Alcantara Mayor Beatriz Caburnay, said all roads in the town are passable except for a portion along the provincial road in Barangay Candabong.

The Candabong-Manga provincial road in Alcantara remains impassable after the box culverts of the road in Barangay Candabong were washed away by floods brought by Seniang.

In Barili, a new road will be opened to reconnect the Bolocboloc-Nasipit provincial road.

Barili Mayor Teresito Mariñas said the town decided to create a new road since a portion of the road in barangay Nasipit collapsed two meters down.

“This lot is unstable so we have to condemn it and look for another road,” he said.

Engineer Hector Jamora, who inspected the road with the mayor, said a bulldozer will be sent in Barangay Nasipit once it is no longer needed in Alcantara. (FREEMAN)