Farmers and residents of eleven (11) barangays traversing Pilar Road now have better mobility and access to services with the completion of the farm to market road (FMR) projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Calbayog City, Samar.
Citing a report from DPWH Region 8 Director Nerie Bueno, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said that the road widening and rehabilitation projects along Pilar Road which was started in May 2018 was implemented to improve the existing road that has deteriorated over the years.
“From the previous four (4) meter rough road, the newly-widened six (6) meter road connecting Barangay Oquendo to Barangay Bayo has greatly facilitated faster transfer of products to the city center following its completion on March 2019,” said Secretary Villar.
Divided into 10 projects under the local infrastructure program, the rehabilitation of the 18.351-kilometer road in the amount of P200-million traverses the following barangays in Calbayog City: Barangays Oquendo, Cabugawan, Cagbilwang, Mawacat, Panlayahan, Cabatuan, Sigo, Cag-anibong, Pilar, Roxas, and Bayo.
Director Bueno also reported that DPWH Samar First District Engineering Office has previously undertaken the construction of the new Roxas-Imelda Road linking Barangay Roxas and Barangay Imelda in the Municipality of Sta. Margarita, Samar which was completed on December 2018.
The 1.8-kilometer mountain road has helped improve access to goods and social services as it now links the community to the existing pavement in Barangay Mabuhay which is connected to Daang Maharlika.