Road network to boost agri productivity, transportation access in Panay

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By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

The ongoing construction of a new road network in Lambunao, Iloilo, promises increased opportunities for marketing agricultural products and better connectivity from Central Iloilo to Antique and Aklan.

The road network is part of the Panay East-West Lateral Road (PEWLR) of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which has a total budget allocation of P2.6 billion.

Currently, DPWH is in the process of excavating a part of a mountain in Barangay Hipgos to establish a direct route from central Iloilo to Valderrama in Antique.

Daily Guardian has reached to DPWH Regional Office 6 on the completion percentage of PEWL but the agency is yet to respond as of writing.

“We are very grateful that the road network will traverse our barangay since this means a boost in the agricultural productivity in the highland communities of Lambunao,” said Ma. Rochel Lequisia, Punong Barangay of Tampucao in Lambunao.

“Our goods like rice, corn, and bananas here will be brought to the mainland easily and with less time. Aside from this, it would reduce delivery costs since the products will be distributed to markets directly,” she added.

Lequisia said that some of the infrastructures of the barangays, including health center and daycare center, and several houses of at least 20 families will be affected by the road clearing.

She added that the DPWH is in continuous talks with the homeowners for possible relocation within their land area.

In Lambunao, the road network will accommodate villages including Magbato, Poblacion Ilaya, Misi, Tampucao, Bontoc, Agsirap, Hipgos and will connect the landlocked town to some parts of Antique.

The construction of the PEWLR originally began in 2017 during the tenure of then Congressman and now Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.

The project was initially projected to be open by 2020, but this was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now targeted to be completed by 2026.

Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor has vowed continuous funding for the ongoing road project, citing the reduced travel time of 30 minutes between central Iloilo and Antique from the usual two hours and 30 minutes.