Paved road in central Iloilo town boosts local agriculture; eases mobility of people, goods and services

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Local roads are essential in developing the countryside and achieving economic growth. It connects agricultural areas to the market which allows producers to transport their goods to traders and consumers with ease.

Hence, the Department of Public Works and Highways has been undertaking local road development efforts to stimulate the local economy and empower rural communities.

In Barangay Talibong in Zarraga, Iloilo, DPWH Iloilo 4^th District Engineering Office has completed the construction of a concrete road, connecting the remote barangays of Inagdangan Centro and Talibong.

Divided into two sections, the Php29.399-million project, funded through DPWH Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG), includes the construction of 1,643-lineal meter, 2-lane Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP) for Section 1 and 1,704-lineal meter, 2-lane PCCP for Section 2.

Citing from the report of District Engineer Mario G. Soriano, DPWH 6 Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel said this road improvement is necessary in order to provide a safer and hassle-free public travel and cost-efficient transport of goods and services, that would help alleviate economic development in rural areas.

“The construction of this local road is a significant community’s infrastructure. This will help enhance economic activity, enable faster transportation of goods and services, and allow businesses to move their products more quickly and efficiently, thus leading to increased local economic growth,” RD Sanny Boy O. Oropel said.

“The paved road also reduces the hauling cost of agricultural products, providing farmers with bigger income for their families, thus improving their income condition. They will no longer need to rely on traditional modes of transportation, such as animal-drawn carts, which are slower and less efficient.  They can transport their goods quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of spoilage and increasing their profits,” RD Oropel added

“Likewise, the concrete road provides ease of travel. Residents will no longer struggle to track the dusty-when-dry, muddy-when-wet road. They can now conveniently travel from homes to work, school and other areas, without worrying the dangers of the then unpaved road,” RD Oropel further said.

Furthermore, RD Oropel stressed that improved road also offers better access to schools, health centers, and other government and private establishments in the town, making the government closer to far-flung communities, hence, basic health, social, economic and other government services can reach to the people in remote areas.

Meanwhile, District Engineer Mario G. Soriano noted that economic, educational and social development in rural areas, aids in disaster management, and has a positive impact on the environment.

“With this concrete road, government services can reach even the remote areas in this central part of Iloilo and people from the far-flung communities can easily access educational, social and health facilities in the town and the neighboring towns and city,” DE Mario G. Soriano said

“The improved road will likewise enhance public transportation, and promote environment sustainability that would lead to an improved quality of life.  Well-designed roads can reduce congestion and make public transportation more efficient. This will further reduce the amount of car emissions, as well as reduce the amount of runoff from vehicles,” DE Soriano added.

DPWH will continue to implement significant road projects that will connect our rural communities to main thoroughfares for faster transportation and easy access to basic government services. (DPWH-6)