Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) | FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The construction of the Bacon-Manito Road that will link the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon in Bicol is aimed to be completed before the year ends, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Thursday.
In a statement, the DPWH said it is fast-tracking the ongoing construction of the 15.87-kilometer road.
“Locals and visitors will be able to utilize this all-weather road very soon. We are targeting completion of ongoing sections before the end of this year,” DPWH Region 5 Director Virgilio Eduarte said.
The DPWH said the project initially received a budget allocation of P2.21 billion from the national government, but in the course of its construction, the agency requested an additional P500 million budget.
The additional budget will be for the remaining civil works that will cover the installation of the active and passive slope protection systems, metal beam guardrails, and the continuation of the concretion of the unpaved areas.
The project aims to link two national roads: Legazpi City-Punta de Jesus Road in Albay and Junction Sorsogon-Bacon-Manito Road in Sorsogon.
The DPWH said the Bacon-Manito Road, also referred to as the Albay-Sorsogon Connector Road will be used by over 5,000 motorists passing daily.
“When fully completed, Albay – Sorsogon Connector Road will reduce the travel time of motorists by one (1) hour, benefitting as many as 5,000 motorists daily, and eventually improving the economic condition of areas along its route,” Eduarte said.
Former public works secretary and now Senator Mark Villar previously said that aside from linking two national roads, the Bacon-Monito Road has “a high potential to develop tourism and [is] expected to improve the livelihood activities and economic standing of both localities.”