LEGAZPI CITY -- The construction of the Bacon, Sorsogon-Manito, Albay road is now 82 percent complete and already passable to all motorists.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Bicol Regional Director Virgilio Eduardo said the project links the national secondary roads including the Legazpi Punta de Jesus road within Albay's second Legislative district and the one coming from Bacon, Sorsogon to Manito, Albay.
He said the project is located within the mountainous terrain of Bacon and Manito towns with a total length of 15.87 kilometers and six bridges along the east coast of Albay and Sorsogon. It has a total funding of PHP1.360 billion from the national government.
The project is considered a mega road infrastructure project traversing the villages of Gajo as well as Tiris, Osiao, Gayong and Sto. Niño of Bacon district in Sorsogon Province, and the coastal areas of Cavit and Pawa in Manito, Albay.
Eduardo added the project consists of eight sections funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2013-2018 that include the 15.87-kilometer road with course aggregates as well as the concreting of the 8.632-kilometer road length and construction of drainage structures and stone masonry.
He said the six bridges with a total net length of 296.50 linear meters are the bridges in Suwa, Sto. Niño, Gayong, and Osiao 1 and 2 in Manito town; and the Banasi bridge in the Bacon, Sorsogon section.
The DPWH will also install the bio-engineering slope (coconet) and metal beam guardrail on strategic locations and pavement markings within the entire stretch as part of the protection from the impact of natural disasters, Eduardo pointed out.
He said that the section funded under the GAA 2013-2015 and part of 2016 are already completed while the remaining sections funded under 2016 and 2017 are ongoing.
The DPWH is requesting another additional PHP300 million for concreting to complete the civil works of the project, Eduardo said.
He said the Bacon-Manito project has a high potential to develop tourism and expected to improve the livelihood activities and economic standing of both localities.
Eduardo said the project would also serve as an access road that will enhance the mobility of people and transport of aquatic and agricultural products to the commercial centers of both provinces.
The project would also serve as an alternate route and reduce travel time between Albay and Sorsogon.
The Bacon, Sorsogon-Manito, Albay road is part of the "Build, Build, Build" program of the Duterte Administration designed to modernize the infrastructure development in the countryside. (PNA)
