Guimaras roads improved to enhance mobility and boost productivity

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been enhancing transportation convenience for local residents and tourists in the province of Guimaras through ongoing road improvement efforts.

The DPWH Guimaras District Engineering Office recently announced the completion of two pivotal road improvement projects: a farm-to-market road in Sibunag town and a local access road in Nueva Valencia.

District Engineer Randolfo A. Melosantos’s report, as highlighted by OIC-Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel, indicates that these enhancements have significantly improved the mobility of people, the transport of goods and services, and the local economy’s productivity.

“One of the major challenges of these local areas in the province is the high cost of transportation and delivery of products to the market due to limited access. Thus, the improved road increases traffic capacity, accommodating a bigger volume of vehicles, hence facilitating faster, easier and convenient transportation,” Oropel said.

“Improved local road offers better transportation facilities. They contribute significantly by creating linkages, thus increasing the opportunities to access basic goods and services, making it easier for local producers to travel to the market and trade centers to sell their products or buy their needs,” he added.

Oropel also pointed out that paved roads are crucial for supporting agricultural activities and enhancing productivity. A robust local road network is essential for agricultural development, enabling farmers to benefit from more efficient and cost-effective product delivery.

Highlighting the significance of quality roads, RD Oropel stated that they are fundamental to community development. The concreting of these roads is seen as an important move towards enriching the residents’ quality of life and propelling the socio-economic advancement of these barangays.

District Engineer Melosantos regards these road projects as concrete evidence of the Department’s commitment to improving access to essential services, healthcare, education, and other public amenities.

He noted that these concrete roads would especially benefit locals during the rainy season, preventing them from having to deal with muddy and impassable routes. The improvements are expected to increase traffic capacity and reduce transportation costs, which should, in turn, raise the income of local farmers.

The P14.7-million farm-to-market road in Barangay Maabay, Sibunag, includes 690.5 linear meters of 6.1-meter wide, two-lane road with concrete slope protection and white thermoplastic pavement markings for the safety of motorists and travelers.

Meanwhile, the P8.9-million paved road in Barangay Cabalgnan, Nueva Valencia, completes a 210-meter route to the Cabalagnan Fish Landing, a vital marine product source in the province.

The concreting of these local roads marks a significant milestone in rural development, with the potential to revolutionize lives by boosting accessibility, spurring economic activity, and improving living standards.

In this vein, the DPWH remains committed to prioritizing rural development through enhanced road networks, paving a path to progress and prosperity for local communities. (DPWH-6)