BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino C. Libanan, together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon, and Assistant District Engineer Domcelio M. Natividad of Eastern Samar District Engineering Office, led the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony for the construction of the junction national road in Brgy. Carolina, Can-avid-Maslog road (barangays Magsaysay-Magongbong-Gap-ang) section; and the concreting of Dolores-Maslog road held on February 4 at Sitio Pasak, Brgy. Aroganga, Dolores, Eastern Samar.
Also present during the ceremony were Mayor Rodrigo Rivera of Dolores, Mayor Vilma Germino of Can-avid, Mayor Benjamen Ver of Jipapad, and Mayor Conrado U. Nicart Jr. of San Policarpo.
The 9.08 kilometers junction national road, which started its construction on January 4, 2023, has a budget allocation of P238.5-M while the concreting of the 2.60 kilometers Dolores-Maslog road project, which started last December 21, 2022, has a project cost amounting to P95.4-M.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Dolores Mayor Rodrigo Rivera thanked Representative Libanan for facilitating the construction of the two road projects.
"This is a long dream for Doloresnon. Now, this groundbreaking ceremony is a dream come true for us. Our farmers living in the interior barangays will now have an easier access road in transporting their farm products to the market," Mayor Rivera said.
DPWH-8 Regional Director Tabacon gave his assurance that they will do its best to facilitate the funding of the projects handed over to them.
However, Tabacon disclosed that the major challenges they encountered during the implementation of any project is the right of way and the weather condition.
"In this particular case, there are affected properties but the project cost will cover it, however, the weather is something we can't control," Director Tabacon said.
Meanwhile, Libanan said the groundbreaking ceremony is a manifestation that the government is serious in projects that they implementing.
He also called out the contractors who were not able to finish projects assigned to them on or before the target deadline.
"I am appealing to the contractors to lessen your profit and to complete the projects within the target completion date. I can understand the weather condition, but I will not allow the people suffer while you enjoy large profit from the projects. This I will never understand," said Libanan.
Libanan also promised to allocate funds for a road project in Brgy. Carolina.
Libanan further revealed that there is already fund allocated for the road project from Maslog to Jipapad.
He also mentioned the Jipapad-Las Navas road project where he already allocated funds amounting to P143-M.
"This is not just a promise. I will do this. This is a time of work not time for politics,"Libanan said.
According to Assistant District Engineer Natividad, once the two projects will be completed, the farmers will have an easier access in transporting their products and the travel time will be cut shorter because the road will be concreted and well-paved.
"The completion of the access road will also pave the way for a faster emergency response during calamities to the interior barangays of Dolores and Maslog," Engr. Natividad added.
The two projects were funded by the implementing agency, DPWH-8, under the General Appropriations Act of 2023 in cooperation and support of 4Ps Party-list. (MMP/SDC/PIA E. Samar)
