The "VIA DUTERTE" project in Albay. (Photo courtesy of DPWH-Albay 2nd District Office)
LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2nd congressional engineering district of Albay cited the huge benefits of the Daraga Urban Traffic Eco-Route, otherwise known as "VIA DUTERTE" project on the economy, tourism and environment of the province.
District Engineer Danilo Villa Jr., in an interview on Thursday, said the project will cover six barangays in the municipality of Daraga and one in Legazpi City that will host the alternate route, spanning two kilometers of road network.
The project is expected to ease the traffic from Camalig to Daraga to Legazpi traversing Barangays Busay, Bañag, Binitayan, Kilicao, Tagas, Malobago, all in Daraga and Barangay Bogtong in Legazpi City.
Villa said the economic and social benefits of access to reliable and secured cargo handling and passenger conveyance systems, as well as the comfort and convenience of tourists -- both domestic and foreign -- promotes goodwill and augurs well with the provincial and local governments of Albay, Legazpi, and Daraga.
The benefits far outweigh the infrastructure cost, including environmental mitigation, relocation and access to better water and other basic social services, he added.
The official further explained that the four-kilometer VIA DUTERTE will help in the improvement of the river control system traversing Barangays Busay, Bañag, Binitayan, Kilicao, Tagas, Malobago and Bogtong on both sides.
“It also intends to provide an alternative route from Daraga to Legazpi as a way to address the current escalating traffic volume within the town proper of Daraga, Albay. This includes the construction of an elevated four-lane road with drainage that would traverse beside Yawa River Flood Control System, as well as a 50-meter parking area for every 200 meters. It would also include a view deck that would serve as a joggers' lane equipped with water and sanitation facilities, solar-powered lighting facilities and complete traffic safety devices,” Villa said.
The project branches out from the national primary road ASEAN Highway 26, better known as Daang Maharlika, in Busay, Daraga, Albay and would connect to Lakandula Drive portion in Bogtong, Legazpi City.
Further development would connect this to the 1st District of Albay traversing the national secondary road, DM Junction Legazpi City-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco-Camarines Sur Boundary Road, and continue to the proposed extension of Legazpi Boulevard.
The construction of the route is expected to have an impact on the eco-socio-economic-tourism facet of the 2nd District of Albay, and to the whole province in general, such as in the case of the immense boost in the eco-socio-economic-tourism industry of Legazpi City resulting from the construction of the three-kilometer Legazpi Boulevard.
Villa added that the VIA DUTERTE project would serve as a relaxing avenue, not only to the tourists but also to the locals seeking a new place to de-stress, bond with friends and family, or simply take time out of their usual routine.
The official said it will also serve as a flood mitigation structure protecting lives and properties against flooding.
Villa said they expect to finish Phase 1 of the PHP2.5-billion undertaking by December this year and Phase 2 and 3 by next year.
The project was conceptualized after a thorough study conducted by different government agencies in the province of Albay, led by the late Daraga town mayor Gerry Jaucian. (PNA)
