Improved road enhances access to Leon highlands

Traveling to the highland communities of Leon and the neighboring town of Alimodian is now safer, thanks to the improved road delivered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Implemented by the DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office, the Php 28.949-million project involved rehabilitating the existing 57-lineal-meter road section along Junction Bancal-Leon-Antique Boundary Road, specifically in Barangay Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo.

The project also included constructing a 57-meter-long, 6-meter-high slope protection structure resting on a sheet pile foundation for road stability, and guard rails to ensure the safety of motorists and residents.

Citing the report of District Engineer Mario G. Soriano, DPWH 6 Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel said the rehabilitation and improvement of this road section eases mobility for people and facilitates the transport of farm products to the market.

“This road improvement ensures safer transportation to the far-flung barangays in the town of Leon and the neighboring town of Alimodian, significantly benefiting our local farmers and agricultural producers,” Oropel said.

“The better road condition also contributes significantly to economic development and growth in the locality, providing easy access to basic services and economic opportunities for an improved quality of life,” Oropel added.

Oropel further emphasized that with the rehabilitated road, residents in the upland barangays of Leon will have uninterrupted, all-weather access to the town proper to secure their basic home and personal needs, even during heavy rains.

Meanwhile, District Engineer Soriano said the road improvement will enhance the tourism industry in central Iloilo by providing access to various tourist destinations such as Bucari Pine Ridge and Imoy Falls.

“With this road improvement, we can ensure safer travel for local and foreign tourists visiting these magnificent destinations in the town of Leon and the neighboring town of Alimodian,” Soriano said.

Soriano added that the improved road will facilitate cost-efficient transport of farm products and easier access for the government to deliver basic services to the people.

“This road leads to vast agricultural lands; hence, its improvement will greatly benefit the people, especially producers of crops and other agricultural products, and animal raisers,” Soriano stressed.

“With this improved road, our farmers can easily transport their products from farms to the market faster and at a lower hauling cost, which could eventually help alleviate their economic condition,” Soriano further said.

DPWH will continue to implement significant road projects that connect rural communities to main thoroughfares, ensuring faster transportation and access to government services.