DPWH urged to finish highway by Q3

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Bacolod lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fast-track the construction of the Bacolod Economic Highway (BEH).

“We’ve been pushing for this request to finish it by the third quarter of this year,” Gasataya said on the sidelines of the Bacolod Press Freedom Day celebration organized by the Negros Press Club (NPC) at SM City Bacolod last Monday.

However, he noted that they are still awaiting the final assessment from the DPWH regarding the development of the BEH project, which is a 21-kilometer stretch covering Barangays Sum-ag, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Granada, Estefania, Mandalagan, and Bata.

Gasataya stated that these areas should be passable from Barangay Sum-ag to Barangay Bata by the third quarter.

“If they can do it earlier, the better,” Gasataya said, expressing hope that it will be passable by the next quarter.

Gasataya mentioned that he is set to meet with the DPWH within the week to discuss the matter.

He highlighted that the project started in 2017 during his first term in Congress. It is intended to open new growth for Bacolod and decongest the Circumferential Road area, he added.

“Naturally, it will promote the economy, tourism, and other business opportunities,” Gasataya said.

Currently, he noted that there is ongoing construction in Barangays Mansilingan, Granada, and Bata, but the rest of the areas are now passable.