DPWH Sec. Domingo leads inauguration of Himay-angan-Silago-Abuyog 23rd Yen road projects
Silago, Southern Leyte (March 7) — At a junction in this municipality that indicates which road direction is going to barangay Himay-angan, Liloan, or Abuyog, Leyte, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vic Domingo on Friday, March 5, led the ribbon cutting ceremony and the unveiling of two markers.
He was joined by provincial officials led by Gov. Damain Mercado, Vice-Gov. Mike Maamo, Cong. Roger Mercado, and Silago officials, among them Mayor Manuel Labrador and Vice-Mayor Lemuel Honor.
Also around as guest was Leyte Fifth District Representative Carmen Cari, as well as DPWH officials, such as Undersecretary Jaime Pacanan, Regional Director Angelito Twano, and District Engr. Carlos Veloso, among other dignitaries in the DPWH family.
Rev. Fr. Manuel Lago, Parish Priest of Silago, subsequently administered the blessing rites of the markers.
In his speech at the auditorium here, Sec. Domingo called on the people, mostly barangay officials, to maximize the use of the roads so as to boost agriculture in the area which translates to an increased production of farm yield.
Let us do our part. With increased productivity, you increase income; with increased income you can send your children to school, and when kids acquire knowledge, quality of life will improve,” Sec. Domingo said.
It was his very first visit to Southern Leyte as top boss of the DPWH. He was formerly the Presidential Assistant in Eastern Visayas.
Mayor Labrador earlier acknowledged that the well-paved roads were a boost to Silago, rendering much shorter and efficient travel time to Maasin and Tacloban.
For their part, both Gov. Mercado and Cong. Mercado were grateful to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying the big infrastructure projects in the province were done during the administration of PGMA.
The Himay-angan-Silago road section began on June 15, 2004 and was completed Nov. 14, 2006 at a cost of P 763,161,219.12, consisting of 44.703 kilometers, 17 new bridges, and 3 rehabilitated bridges. The project was undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation.
On the other hand, contract amount for the Abuyog-Silago road section was P 904,189,603.80, from June 23, 2004 to January 29, 2007, for 44 kilometers, 14 bridges and undertaken by Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corporation.
Both multi-million projects were financed under a loan agreement with the Philippine government and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), more popularly known as the 23rd yen loan package. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
