The then flooded road section along Roxas City Boundary-Panitan-Bailan Road, Brgy. Agkilo in Panitan, Capiz, is currently being upgraded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VI, hence, would bring travel convenience to motorists, when completed.
The said project is implemented and supervised by the Regional Office headed by Regional Director Wenceslao M. Leaño and Assistant Regional Director Jose Al V. Fruto.
The project, in the amount of P60.6 million from FY 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA), involves concrete reconstruction of 2-lane road with the length of 1.4 kilometers.
According to Fruto, the said area is flood prone, that even the road completely submerges in water when heavy rains occur, that even the installed wheel guard could not be seen by motorists.
Fruto added that in order to make the continuous flow of traffic even during rainy days, the DPWH has constructed an elevated road, higher than the level of the rice fields.
Engr. Ormel G. Santos, chief of the Construction Division also said that the project, which also includes the provision of 300mm slab and drainage, is expected to be completed before this year ends.
Roxas City-Panitan-Bailan Road is a national road connecting the town of Panitan to Roxas City, passing various agricultural areas; hence its good condition would cause easy and faster delivery of goods and services.
During the onslaught of typhoon “Marce” recently, the road, according to Project Engineer Florenda Dumol, was slightly covered by water; however it is still passable, not like before when the road was impassable during heavy rains or typhoons.
Likewise, the motorists are happy that with this elevated road, they can smoothly and continuously travel from Roxas City to Panitan, vice versa, without being disturbed and hindered by water overflow.
“Tungod sining bag o nga kalsada, indi na kami yanda maka experience sang daw dagat nga tubig nga kinanglan pa namon mag sakay sa mga baroto para ikarga amon mga dala (With this new road, we will not experience anymore, the ocean-like water wherein we have to use boats to transfer or commodities/luggage),” said Engr. Ethel B. Morales, Assistant District Engineer of Capiz First District Engineering Office and a frequent passer along this road section.