DPWH gives priority to P1B in Iloilo roads, projects

ILOILO CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has prioritized five major development projects in Iloilo that are expected to stimulate the economy of Western Visayas.

The projects include the proposed P1.7-billion Iloilo Circumferential Road, the cleaning and dredging of the Iloilo River and the upgrading of the existing Treñas Boulevard.

The DPWH in Western Visayas said in a statement that it has mobilized dredging equipment to help in the river cleanup.

National government officials and those in the multi-agency Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC) are pushing for projects that they said would bring back the glorious past of the historic Iloilo River.

These include the clearing of obstructions, including sunken and derelict vessels and illegal structures, and transforming the river into a major eco-tourism site.

The 15-kilometer Iloilo River is the city’s main tributary passing along 35 of the city’s 180 barangays. It serves as a source of livelihood for fishermen and as a habitat and nursery of many important fish species. It is home to 22 of the country’s 35 mangrove species.

Congress has allocated P150 million for the construction of an esplanade, a curvilinear park with view decks and walkways and al-fresco dining along the river, according to the DPWH.

The first phase of the project will start from the Carpenter’s Bridge to the Diversion Bridge while the second phase will start from the Iloilo-Jaro Diversion Bridge to Forbes Bridge.

The esplanade project is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.

The circumferential road project covering 14-18 km is a key initiative to ease traffic in Iloilo City. It will involve the construction of a two-lane paved road and construction of five concrete bridges.

The road will cover 8.28 km in Iloilo City, 2.7 km in Pavia town and 3.2 km in Oton town.

The DPWH has initially released P4 million for the preparation of a survey of the road project which has been divided into five phases.

Sen. Franklin Drilon has also committed to work for the allocation of P200 million for the widening of the road from Jaro District in Iloilo City to Leganes town.

The project, which will expand the existing two-lane road into four lanes, will ease the congestion of the road which is part of the road network that connects Iloilo City with Capiz and Aklan provinces.