Improved local road ensures easy access to remote areas in Negros Occidental

Faster mobility and travel convenience are now experienced by two local communities in Ilog, Negros Occidental with the concrete paving of the once muddy when wet and dusty when dry earth road.

Delivered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Negros Occidental 3^rd District Engineering Office, the paved 945.5-lineal meter road benefits roughly 120 and 53 households of the barangays of Vista Alegre and Consuelo.

With the aggregate amount of ₱19.6 million funded under the District’s FY 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the road concreting project is divided into two phases. Phase 1 involves the construction of a 520-lineal meter road while the remaining 425.5-lineal meters were paved under phase 2.

Citing a report from District Engineer (DE) Rodney A. Gustilo, DPWH 6 Regional Director Nerie D. Bueno said the paved road is significantly beneficial, especially to the local farmers and residents in the far-flung areas.

“With this road improvement, people from the barangays of Vista Alegre and Consuelo have easier access to the town proper for their essential needs. Social, health, educational and other necessary government services will likewise be easily delivered even to the people in the remote areas,” Engr. Bueno said.

“This road is situated in the vast landscape of farmlands and agricultural areas wherein sugarcanes and crops are cultivated; hence, the road improvement is beneficial for our local farmers and producers. Transport of products from farms to the market will be faster with lesser hauling cost, providing our farmers with more income for their families,” Director Bueno stressed.

In addition, Director Bueno said the upgraded road will help promote local products that will eventually lead to the socio-economic development of the local communities.

Meantime, DE Rodney A. Gustilo said that other than road concreting, the project includes necessary warning signs for the safety of motorists and the people in the community as well.

“Other than concreting with a high elevated road, we included the construction of slope protection structures on high embankments, installation of metal guard rails and provision of thermoplastic pavement markings for the safety of our road users,” DE Gustilo said.

“With this concrete road, motorists and residents will no longer suffer a muddy road during the wet season and dusty road during the dry season. Likewise, this road offers smoother travel, and the cost of vehicle maintenance will be reduced,” DE Gustilo added. (DPWH-6)