Mark Villar touts ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects in Bicol region

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

Pasacao Batalan Road. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Nearing the end of the Duterte’s Administration, Build Build Build Infrastructure Programs have been evident and visible, especially in the Bicol Region (Region 5).

The realization of these projects has been put in place through the effort of the former public works secretary and senatorial candidate Mark Villar.

Villar has ensured the continuation and timely implementation of these projects with the goal of improving tourism, stimulating the economy, and providing more opportunities and jobs for Filipinos.

“Despite the pandemic restrictions, we will push and continue to do everything we can to provide more meaningful projects for the country’s economic growth and recovery. It is important to open more roads in the Bicol region to realize shorter travel time and distance from the northern to the southern tip of Luzon,” he said.

For the past six years, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has constructed, rehabilitated, improved, and widened a total of 1,670 kilometers of roads, 295 bridges, 706 flood mitigation structures, and 8,437 classrooms—actual projects that have had a concrete positive impact on the lives of Bicolanos over the past several years.

Matnog-Sta. Magdalena-Bulusan Road. Contributed photo

Specifically, some of the projects in the Bicol region are:

Sorsogon City Coastal Bypass Road. The 5.52-kilometer four-lane Sorsogon Coastal Road, which includes a jogger’s lane and a bicycle lane, serves as a diversion road when going to the municipalities of Casiguran, Gubat, and Castilla.
Matnog-Sta. Magdalena-Bulusan Road. The 31.41-kilometer highway will connect three municipalities in Sorsogon (Matnog, Sta. Magdalena, and Bulusan) and facilitate the transport of farm and marine products within the region.
Cagraray Island Circumferential Road in Albay. If you can try the 40-kilometer Cagraray Island Circumferential Road which connects four barangays in Cagraray Island to Bacacay town proper via land.
Albay-Sorsogon Connector. The 15.87-kilometer Albay-Sorsogon Connector, which follow the east coast, links two national roads: The Legazpi-Punta de Jesus Road in Albay and the Junction Sorsogon-Bacon Manito Road in Sorsogon. It is expected to benefit about 5,000 travelers per day.
Legazpi City Coastal Road. If you want to enjoy the panoramic view of Mount Mayon Drive thru the 3.10-kilometer Legazpi City Coastal Road, which traverses four barangays in Albay: Baybay, Rawis, San Roque, and Bonot.
Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Highway in Camarines Sur. The 40.69-kilometer coastal expressway will traverse the municipalities of Pasacao, San Fernando, Minalabac, Bula, and Balatan in Camarines Sur. The project, which serves as an alternate route to Daang Maharlika, will traverse 15 barangays and benefit about 8,000 motorists a day.
Camarines Sur Expressway Project. The 4-lane 15.21-kilometer Camarines Sur Expressway project will reduce travel time from San Fernando to Pili from 51 minutes to only 11 minutes.

Esperanza Placer Road. Contributed photo

Esperanza-Placer Road leading to Pasiagon beach front in Masbate. If you are going to Balay na Bato. Drive through the 30.56-kilometer road network which will also aid in transporting aquatic and agriculture products.
San Fernando-San Jacinto-Monreal Road in Masbate. The 24.50-kilometer expressway, which includes the construction of five bridges, will traverse the municipalities of San Fernando, San Jacinto, and Monreal in Masbate.
Imelda Boulevard in Catanduanes. The 6.532-kilometer Imelda Boulevard, which leads to Virac Port in Catanduanes, also serves as a flood control structure that will mitigate the impact of storm surges.

“These public infrastructures will improve public mobility, productivity and help boost economic activity in the province. Masaya ako na nakikita ko yung development projects sa Bicol na makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Patuloy po akong magsisikap upang maipagpatuloy ko ang nasimulan ng administrasyon na ito lalo na po ang Build, Build, Build,” Villar said.