• CHERYL G. CRUZ / GILBERT P. BAYORAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said June 27 that he is eager to see the economic growth of Negros under the Negros Island Region setup.
Marcos cited big infrastructure projects, such as the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) and the Asenso Yuhum Residences in Bacolod City, as well as other projects and programs to improve the lives and livelihoods of Negrenses.
“Mga kababayan, ako ay nasasabik na makita ang kalalabasan ng lahat ng ito, pati na rin sa magiging epekto nito sa ekonomiya ng inyong lokalidad, lalo na ngayong bahagi na kayo ng bagong Negros Island Region (NIR),” Marcos said at the distribution of assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City Thursday.
He signed the law creating the NIR, or Republic Act 12000, on June 13. The new region is composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez said he expects “a brighter future with the establishment of the NIR, through coordinated development,” as he thanked Marcos for “making our dream of One Negros a reality.”
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also told Marcos in his message that with the signing of the NIR Act and the distribution of assistance, “we know we can always count on you to stand with us through challenges and triumphs alike.”
Marcos said the BANOCEH is one of the important projects that his administration is focusing on.
In his speech, Marcos said the BANOCEH project spans more than 42 kilometers of road network, and includes the construction and improvement of 16 bridges.
“Isang mahalagang proyekto na ating tinututukan ay ang Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway. Ito ay magsasaayos at magpapalawak ng mahigit apatnapu’t dalawang kilometro ng daan, magtatayo ng labindalawang bagong tulay, at magpapatibay sa kasalukuyang anim na kilometrong kalsada at apat na tulay,” the President said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas earlier reported that part of the P7.389-billion BANOCEH will be initially opened to travelers by the end of this month, or early July.
DPWH6 director, Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, was quoted in a Philippine News Agency report as saying that “the section from Bacolod City, passing through the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road junction, will help all travelers by June 30. We are now on our scheduled target to have a soft opening.”
The project stretches from the Bacolod South Road junction along Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod towards the Bacolod North Road junction in Victorias City. Oropel said that BANOCEH is “set to transform regional connectivity by reducing travel time from Bacolod to the Silay Airport by 25 minutes, from the current one hour” and is “expected to benefit an average of 20,000 travelers daily”.
Marcos also took note of other ongoing projects and programs that will continue to help Bacolodnons and Negrenses, like the TUPAD, and the Asenso Yuhum Residences program of the Bacolod government, in line with his flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
“Pinapangako ko na walang magsasaka, o mangingisda, o sino mang Pilipino ang mapag-iiwanan sa aming pinapangarap na Bagong Pilipinas,” he stressed. | CGC, GPB
