BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- Representative Marcelino C. Libanan of 4Ps Party-list and Minority Floor Leader together with Atty. Allan Contado, chief of staff of the Office of Rep. Ma. Fe R. Abunda, led a groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony of the construction and opening of the Maslog-Jipapad road project at Poblacion 01 in Maslog, Eastern Samar, recently.

According to Assistant District Engineer Domcelio M. Natividad of DPWH-Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (ESDEO), the P98.7-M road project covers a span of 1.573 meters, including drainage and slope protection which will connect the municipalities of Maslog and Jipapad.

In his message, Engr. Alvin A. Ignacio, ESDEO district engineer, said that once the project will be completed, it will improve access and will make travel to Maslog and Jipapad more convenient and safer for all motorists. 

It would also boost the economic activity of the two towns and several barangays of Dolores because farmers can transport their farm products conveniently to the market, and in addition, government services will be easier to access, and more tourists will be encouraged to visit the areas.

In his message also, Mayor Heracleo C. Santiago of Maslog said that with the envisioned economic activity in the area, the farmers could be inspired to produce more, adding that insurgency would also be solved.

Santiago added that the new road may develop the dream interconnectivity among the hinterland towns of Maslog, E. Samar; Las Navas of Northern Samar, and San Jose de Buan town of Samar province.

“This could be the peace and prosperity road we all dream of,” the mayor added.

In his inspirational message,  Rep. Libanan said that the P98.7-M construction and opening of Maslog-Jipapad road is part of the total allocation of the 21 kilometers road project.

He added that he will continue to seek additional funding until the total 21 kilometers road will be realized. 

"This project will be the way to progress and development of the two municipalities. After five or 10 years from now, I can see big and beautiful houses, and big business establishments," Libanan said.

Meanwhile, Vicenta Rebato, 64 of Maslog said roads are very important to them as rural folks.

"Kun may kalsada, automatic nga kun may maraot an lawas o nabuno, diretso ambulansya para Borongan." (If someone gets ill or wounded, they can readily be transported to Borongan through the new paved roads and be saved.)

She added that government assistance and services will also reach them easily.

Other officials who also witnessed and assisted the groundbreaking ceremony were Mayor Heracleo C. Santiago of Maslog, Mayor Benjamin Ver of Jipapad, Mayor Conrado U. Nicart III of San-Policarpo, Mayor Roy C. Ador of Oras, Mayor Rodrigo Rivera of Dolores, Mayor Vilma Germino of Can-avid, Mayor Gina A. Ty of Taft, Mayor Daniel C. Boco of Llorente, DPWH-ESDEO -District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio, Assistant District Engineer, Domcelio M. Natividad, municipal officials and employees,  and barangay officials of Maslog and Jipapad. (MMP/SDC/PIA-E. Samar)