* The City Government of Naga plans to begin work this year on a proposed 42-kilometer diversion road estimated to cost ₱1.8 billion.
* According to Mayor Valdemar Chiong, the road will extend from the Naga-Uling Road toward Toledo City and connect to Sitio Estaca in Barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla.
* To manage finances, Naga considers phased construction using a ₱100 million annual allocation alongside a ₱2 billion standby credit facility from the Development Bank of the Philippines.
THE City Government of Naga plans to begin work this year on a proposed 42-kilometer diversion road estimated to cost P1.8 billion.
The project is part of the City’s master plan to expand its road network and provide motorists with an alternative route.
Mayor Valdemar Chiong told reporters that planning and technical studies have been completed. The City, he added, is now working out how to build the road without putting too much pressure on its finances.
Route
According to Chiong, the proposed road network would connect southern part of Naga toward Toledo City and extend from the Naga-Uling Road to Sitio Estaca in Barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla.
Chiong said the project will be implemented by the City Government. Its main concern is choosing a scheme that would allow construction to proceed in stages while preserving the City’s financial capacity.
Financing
Chiong said the City has access to a P2 billion standby credit facility from the Development Bank of the Philippines that could help finance its infrastructure projects.
The City is considering phased construction, with payments based on the sections completed each year. Chiong said the City could allocate about P100 million annually for the road project and gradually use loans to finance the remaining cost.
Initial construction is expected to begin this year, Chiong said. The City has yet to announce a date for the groundbreaking. / DPC