Local officials are optimistic that the multi-million peso Diversionary Road connecting Bacong, Dumaguete City, and Sibulan in Negros Oriental will push ahead this year with minimal hitches, after some possible alternate routes are considered.
This developed following meeting Thursday with Rep. George Arnaiz of the 2nd congressional district of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, Sibulan Mayor Emmanuel Diputado, and the chief of the 2nd Engineering District of the Department of Public Works & Highways, Engr. Ricardo Duran.
In the meeting, the officials threshed out some concerns regarding the ongoing construction of the Diversionary Road, specifically that which connects Dumaguete to Sibulan, following some snags that could slow down the project implementation.
One of the hitches encountered in the project is the acquisition of road right of way from several individuals whose properties stand to be affected by the project. Some have reportedly put up opposition to it while others are said to be selling part of their property at a very high cost.
With this, officials are now scrambling to find alternate routes for the Bacong-Dumaguete-Sibulan diversionary road to avoid the risk of having the funding from the national government realigned, according to Congressman Arnaiz.
Last year, the DPWH began implementing the P50-million road construction in the Dumaguete side of the diversionary road, while this year, another P50 million has been allocated for the Sibulan portion.
During Thursday’s meeting, the officials lengthily discussed various options that would entail minimal damage to property and reduce problems such as the acquisition of road right of way.
Sibulan Mayor Diputado disclosed a possible alternate route, specifically that which runs from Camanjac, Dumaguete City via Calabnugan, Ata-Ata, San Antonio, Mainit, Looc down to the national highway in Sibulan.
This particular route had been opened during the incumbency of Arnaiz as governor of Negros Oriental about eight or 10 years ago.
Mayor Diputado said he is hopeful that the DPWH central office will approve of the alternate route as this will benefit so many residents in the hinterlands of Sibulan as the diversionary road can also double as a farm-to-market road.
Dumaguete Mayor Sagarbarria said he is happy with the development as this would hopefully speed up the continuation of the project which is already currently being implemented in Dumaguete.
The Dumaguete portion of the diversionary road traverses the interior barangays of Bajumpandan, Cantil-e, Talay, Cadawinonan and Camanjac. From Camanjac, the route to connect to Sibulan is being considered via Calabnugan.
Sagarbarria said he is also hopeful in finding another alternate route to minimize the number of structures and private properties that will be affected by the diversion road project.
Rep. Arnaiz, meanwhile, stressed the need for cooperation from the people for the diversion road project to be successful as this will benefit the majority as well as pave the way for socio-economic-tourism development.
He also expressed hope that officials in Bacong, where a small portion from Barangay Isugan connects to Dumaguete, do not have problems with the project implementation on their side of the diversion road.
Arnaiz explained the urgency in coming up with a final route for the Sibulan portion of the diversion road project otherwise the funding allocation could be realigned.
Also, once the project is well underway this year, then he can think of more ways to source more funds to complete it as the initial P100 million for Dumaguete and Sibulan are not enough.
For his part, Engr. Duran admitted the proposed alternate routes have less problems compared to the original plan.
Next week, the DPWH will conduct a survey at the proposed routes to determine the feasibility before reporting the suggested alternatives to the DPWH central office prior to project implementation. (PNA)
