The biggest and ambitious project the city government will push vigorously this year is the P360-million diversion road network that connects the western portion of Dumaguete to Bacong town in the south, and Sibulan town in the north.

The Regional Development Council of Central Visayas earlier indorsed the project to the National Economic Development Authority for funding, Mayor Agustin Perdices said.

"The NEDA will try to find a funding institution to finance the project. We, local officials, including our governor and congressmen, are also trying to figure out the source of the funding," Perdices said.

He also said he is even willing to start it using local funds from the three localities.

He also instructed the City Planning and Development Office to continue working on the plan with the Department of Public Works and Highways. Perdices said the 12-kilometer diversion road is envisioned to ease traffic congestion in the city and stir economic activities in the three localities.

City Planning and Development Officer Josephine Antonio said the estimated amount for the project covers the cost of land acquisition, demolition of infrastructures that will be affected by the undertaking, and actual construction of the road.

Antonio said, so far, there is no problem in terms of getting the cooperation of lot owners whose properties may be used for the road.

Sibulan Mayor Antonio Renacia said he hopes the project pushes through, as it will contribute to the development of his municipality, especially the south-west portion of the town.

Meanwhile, Renacia said the city government will continue this year its concreting program of the city roads and expects to have all the city roads completely cemented this year. He said the city will also do concreting of the barangay roads afterwards.*RA

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