The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) formally inaugurated on Saturday, August 26, 2017 two (2) infrastructure development projects in Iloilo City.
The infrastructure projects includes the completion of Esplanade 1 Extension and Nabitasan-San Rafael Bypass Road in the amount of P40.2 million and P134.9 million, respectively.
Present during the inauguration were Ilonggo Senator Franklin M. Drilon, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor Sr.; Iloilo City Congressman Jerry P. Treñas; Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog; philanthropist Dr. Henry O. Chusuey, DPWH Region 6 Asst. Director Jose Al V. Fruto and other government officials.
The Esplanade 1 Extension project involved the construction of a 200-linear meter riverside walkway with paving blocks, slope protection, landscaping and complementing structures along Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue (Iloilo Diversion Road).
The completion of promenade will not only provide pedestrians a better pathway from the foot of Iloilo Bridge to the foot of Nabitasan Bridge but will also serve as a place for recreational activities as we also built seat wall, view deck, boating station, skating rink and activity area to give local residents and tourists another reason to enjoy the city.
On the otherhand, the 787-lineal meter Nabitasan-San Rafael Bypass Road is expected to lessen the travel time from Iloilo City downtown area to Iloilo-Jaro Diversion Road by about 10 to 15 minutes.
The new four-lane road will serve as an access road for motorists traveling to Barangay Nabitasan in Lapaz District to Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao District, bypassing the highly congested Gen. Luna Street.
Also included in the project is the construction of 90-lineal meter prestressed concrete girder bridge on reinforced concrete pile foundation.
The two (2) completed projects will further strengthen the overall economic growth and contribute to the tourism industry of Iloilo City.
Meanwhile, Secretary Villar announced that planning activities has commenced for the construction of Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge with a team of experts undertaking feasibility works.
The proposed link bridge will be one of the largest and longest at 19 kilometer, something that will be of world class and iconic in the future.