The upgrading, rehabilitation and concreting of the road network in the first district in Negros Oriental, composed of two cities and seven municipalities, from Manjuyod to Canlaon City, will cost the government about P1.4 billion.

The projected cost would be about P200 million per year from 2011 to 2016, says Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong (Neg.Or.,1st District).

However, this will all depend on the availability of funds from the national coffers, since other provinces are also requesting for the concreting of their roads, she said.

Limkaichong also said that P710 million in foreign funding is in the pipeline for implementation next year in her district, and that, the program is being prepared by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

For this year, P200 million worth of infrastructure projects has been bidded out, with construction to start in the second half of June. This includes the long overdue widening, slope protection, sea wall construction and concreting of the Himampangon road.

Limkaichong has also suggested to Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson the putting of a bicycle lane along the highways, to bolster tourism and promote a healthy lifestyle.*JG

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