Build, Build, Build in Region VI

Enhanced roadways in Boracay; Greater logistics road network await Negros BUILD, BUILD, BUILD IN REGION VI

By MELVIN S. SEDICOL

▼ Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway

Two of the big ticket projects in Western Visayas listed under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte Administration are the Boracay Circumferential Road and Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH). These two multi-year projects are among the government’s priorities for the region cited by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Boracay Circumferential Road

Boracay Circumferential Roads was then a narrow, congested road, taking almost 1 hour 15 minutes to travel from Cagban Port in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc to IligIligan Beach in Brgy. Yapak, considering the traffic congestion and business establishments along the main roads.

Hence, due to effect of environmental and other concerns, President Duterte ordered for the temporary closure of the island and created a task force for its rehabilitation, where the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was one of the members of the said group.

As its contribution, DPWH started widening Boracay Circumferential Road, which involved concreting of the existing 18-kilometer main road with paving blocks, street lights and provision of bike lanes. Demolition of illegal settlers and removal of utilities along its road-right-of-way was immediately undertaken to pave way for the road improvement.

The project, with the total allocation of PhP 1.66 billion, is divided into three sections: Section 1 is from Cagban Port to Hue Hotel, Section 2 from Hue Hotel to Elizalde property, and Section 3 from Elizalde property to Tambisaan Port. The first 2 sections, with the total length of 4.122 kilometers, were completed in 2019 and are being utilized by approximately 5,000 motorists every day, while Section 3, with

July-December 2019 the length of 1.9 kilometers, is estimated to be completed by 2022.

With this road widening, travel time from Cagban Port in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc to Ilig-Iligan Beach in Brgy. Yapak will be reduced to about 40-45 minutes, saving at 30 minutes.

BANOCEH

The Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) will serve as an alternate connection between the northern and southern towns of Negros Occidental.

This road opening will also serve as alternate route from the northern and southern part of the province to BacolodSilay Airport Road.

The project, in the amount of PhP 7.234 billion, involves construction of 46.62-kilometer, 4-lane road from Bacolod City to Victorias City, including improvement of some existing roads, and slope protection.

This multi-year project started in April 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2026.

When completed, travel time from Sum-ag, Bacolod City in southern Negros to Bacolod-Silay and from Victorias City in northern Negros going to Bacolod-Silay Airport, will be reduced to approximately 25 and 40 minutes, respectively, benefiting an average of 20,000 travelers per day.