Newly paved road to boost tourism and local fish industry in Iloilo town

In a significant stride towards enhancing local infrastructure and economic prospects, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Iloilo 3rd District Engineering Office completed the paving of road connecting Barangay Puerto Princesa and Barangay San Francisco in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

The ₱29.4-million project is a convergence project of the DPWH and the Department of Tourism (DoT) under the DOT’s Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP). The project involves concrete paving of 500-meter long, 6.1-meter wide Puerto Princesa-San Francisco Road and complete with drainage systems, slope protection, metal guardrails, and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.

OIC-Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel said the new road will boost tourism and open economic opportunities for residents and local fishermen.

“The paving of this road will provide local fishermen with a quicker and more secure way to transfer their catch to the market and other towns, thus increasing their output and income,” Director Oropel said.

Furthermore, OIC-District Engineer Robert S. Palmera said the new road will also make it easier for tourists to visit the well-known and beautiful beaches of Barotac Viejo.

“We are proud that we have already completed paving this road, creating economic opportunities for the local sector in the barangays of Barotac Viejo, as well as attracting tourists to visit beautiful beaches in the area,” added OIC-DE Palmera.

Mr. Romeo Balayo, a resident of Barangay Puerto Princesa, said that the road concreting project has a significant impact on their lives.

“With this road, we can now transport our marine products to the market conveniently, even on rainy days. The newly constructed road has provided a more comfortable travel option for tourists visiting our tourist spots, such as Balaring and Sitio Miao Beach Resorts, every weekend,” Mr. Balayo said.

The road concreting project is a multi-year project funded under the FY 2023 General Appropriation Act (GAA). (DPWH-6)