‘Shortest route’ to Negros Oriental pushed
NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he is hoping that the shortest route connecting the two Negros provinces will still push through despite the abolition of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Marañon said Monday, September 4, the Provincial Government will continue with its initiatives and efforts in implementing joint programs and projects with Negros Oriental.
The governor said there are “road sections” needed to be implemented by the two provinces to boost inter-connectivity in the island.
Among these road networks is the proposed Himamaylan-Tayasan road.
Marañon said the proposed road that will pass through Himamaylan City to Tayasan in Negros Oriental is only 35 kilometers long.
The governor said the travel distance is shorter, compared to Kabankalan-Mabinay road, which has a distance of 65 kilometers.
The highway in Tayasan had already been completed while the Negros Occidental side has yet to connect the road.
Marañon said the road project is the shortest way to connect Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Ma. Lina Sanogal, Negros Occidental Provincial Planning and Development officer, said the construction of Himamaylan-Tayasan road has an estimated budget of about P12 million.
She said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will conduct the study when it is approved for funding and construction.
Aside from Himamaylan-Tayasan road, other proposed networks connecting Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are the Vallehermoso to San Carlos City; Canlaon City-San Carlos City; Guihulngan City-Isabela; Ayungon-Kabankalan City; and Bayawan City-Kabankalan City.
These proposed roads were among the priority projects of the two-year-old region.
Marañon said that more highways should be constructed in the highlands and coastal areas of the island, adding that existing roads should be improved and widened.
He also said that networks should not traverse thickly populated areas, and should “bypass the center of population so as not to clog the traffic.”
The governor added that it will hasten the growth of the existing area.
He also said that the two provinces will remain its coordination in the tourism sector following the dissolution of NIR.
The governor further said the national government will grant the proposal to have the military and the police under one command in the region.
Earlier, National Economic Development Authority Undersecretary for Regional Operations Adoracion Navarro said programs and projects with inter-jurisdictional concerns can still be jointly pursued by the two provinces even if Negros Island was already abolished, adding that it will be tackled in the two Regional Development Councils while budget allocation would depend on the component.
The regional offices under NIR will shut down their operations on October 9, or 60 days after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 38 abolishing the region.
Following the abolition of NIR, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental will revert to their previous regions, Western Visayas and Central Visayas, respectively.