The Department of Public Works and Highways opened a 53-kilometer national road that traverses from Mulondo, Maguing, Bumbaran and Wao, all in Lanao del Sur to the municipality of Maramag in Bukidnon. The opening of the new road decreased travel time in crossing neighboring cities and provinces.
The 7-hour travel from Marawi City to Malaybalay and Valencia cities in Bukidnon via Iligan is lessened to 3 hours while the 12-hour travel time from Lanao del Sur to Davao City via Iligan is cut to more or less 4 hours, according to Provincial Engineer Sirad Laut. The 53-kilometer road also allowed residents of Lanao del Sur to travel directly from Marawi City to Wao in approximately 1 and a half hour from the usual 8 hours while passing through Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon.
From a no-man land area to a future economic zone, faster exchange of goods and cheaper transport cost is seen to be attained with the opening of the new road. The main contribution of the dream road is its positive impact in the economic aspect. The major products of Lanao del Sur are cassava, palay, corn, banana, rootcrops, coffee, fruits, vegetables and rubber. A wide plantation of pineapple and banana can also be seen while traversing the said road. According to Provincial Governor Adiong, “the road is expected to enhance business, fair trade and livelihood between Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon which are both known to be rich in agricultural lands and farms.” He further stated that "farmers and buyers shall benefit as crops can be sold and bought at cheaper prices.”
There is also an anticipated improvement in the immediate delivery of basic services such as medical assistance and quick response in case of calamities. Moreover, the peace and order within the area will be maintained through the opening of the dream road. There is also a potential boost of Tourism since both the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon offer beautiful and untouched sites which would mean employment and income.
Though some road sections are still to be fully concreted, it has already served the commuters very well. “Unfinished portion of the dream road project will be concreted once fund allocations from the national coffer are fully released,” said DPWH-X Regional Director Evelyn T. Barroso. “The remaining 11.6-kilometer unpaved portion of the 53-kilometer national road is expected to be completed by 2017. The request for additional amount of P243 million for the remaining road and P152 million for five bridges were submitted for inclusion in the proposed 2017 National Budget,” she added.