THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) commenced the construction of the new 7.6- kilometer roadway going to Barangay Quinawan in Bagac, Bataan.
According to the DPWH, the road will provide faster and more convenient access to the foremost tourism destinations in the area.
DPWH Regional Director Roseller Tolentino said that at present, the Regional Construction Division has already nstarted construction of the first phase of the multi-year project, which includes the opening of the 1.585-kilometer road section.
The project already received its initial budget of P150 million under the FY 2021 General Appropriations Act.
“This new road going to coastal destinations in Bagac will start at the Bagac-Mariveles Road, and starting February 28, the project’s first phase has been reported to be 75-percent complete and there were significant developments and growth in the project area,” according to Tolentino .
The project involves roadworks such as cleaning and grubbing, removal of structures and other barriers, excavation, dike and preparation of the subgrade.
Also included in the first phase is the erection of a 230-lineal meter stone masonry wall with line canal along the mountain edge which will serve as slope protection and drainage. There is also the need to install a metal guardrail beam along the edge of the cliff for the safety of motorists.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said they already requested the needed budget for the improvement of the remaining portion of the access road.
“A good way to stimulate the growth of tourism in an area is to improve the road network. We recognize the significant contribution of the tourism industry to the economic growth of a region, and the DPWH is focused on ensuring that our local tourism destinations are easily accessible to all,” the DPWH official adds.
The DPWH has earlier finished work on some access roads going to various tourist spots in Central Luzon such as the Ditabuyan Falls in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose and Dueg Ecotourism Nature’s Park in San Clemente, Tarlac.