P920-M coastal road project to link two coastal towns in Albay

By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept. 22 (PNA)--- A P920-million road project will soon be implemented linking the coastal towns of Libon and Pioduran in the west coast side of Albay, a top provincial official said on Monday.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said he has secured the funding for the Albay West Coast Road project involving the construction of a 46-kilometer road network from the municipalities of Pantao to Pioduran.

He said the supposed funds came from the Millenium Challenge Account Compact Project which was shifted to the Albay West Coast after the Albay Donsol access road project was deemed not quite implementable due to technical and civil works difficulties.

He said that through quick action and constant follow-up, he was able to transfer the funds intended for the Albay-Donsol access road project.

He explained that the shift in the project plan was necessary because the Albay-Donsol project was deemed difficult to complete within the five year contract due to design requirement arising from the 50-year flood data in Jovellar town.

Salceda said "rather than lose the funds to other provinces, I successfully lobbied for the transfer."

Salceda said Albay West Coast is equally important and he funded the preparaton of the feasibility study when he was then the province's 3rd District House representative.

As for the Albay-Donsol access road which will link the towns of Guinobatan and Jovellar with Donsol in Sorsogon, Salceda said he is working out for a possible funding with the Korean Exim Bank using his international connection.(PNA)