President Arroyo inaugurates P643M road improvement project in Samar

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently inaugurated the P643-million Catarman-Lope de Vega-Calbayog-road improvement project on the sidelines of her visit here to attend the 58th anniversary of Calbayog's citihood.

The ceremonial inauguration, one of the main features of this city's Charter Day celebration, took place at the Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology (TTMIST) in downtown Calbayog.

The President arrived in Samar from Manila to attend Calbayog's Charter Day and discuss with local officials from the three Samar provinces various development projects of the national government in the Samar island.

The 47.33-km. highway cuts across the rugged terrains of the neighboring provinces of Northern Samar and Samar, coast to coast from Catarman to Calbayog.

When the project is completed early next year, travel time between Catarman and Calbayog will be shorter by one hour than the travel time between the two points on the existing Catarman-Allen-Calbayog route.

The project includes the concreting of unpaved sections and the rehabilitation of badly damaged sections of the highway, the construction of one bridge and the repair of 26 existing spans.

Started in May 2004, the project is under the Arterial Road Links Development Project, Phase V, with funding assistance from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC). The project contractor is China State Construction Engineering Corporation.

Local officials led by Calbayog City Mayor Mel Sarmiento said the project will improve transportation and communications in the two neighboring provinces, enhance the flow of commerce, encourage more investments and business opportunities and thus promote further economic growth.

It is also expected to uplift the living conditions of the people, especially in the interior parts of Samar and improve their mobility.

The President was assisted in the ceremonial inauguration of the road project by Mayor Sarmiento, Samar Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan and several other local officials. (PNA)