NEWS
GMA assures coastal road completion
Implementation back to DPWH Region 5

VIRAC VISIT - President Arroyo listens as Most Rev. Manolo A. de los Santos, D.D. relates the ordeal of the people in Catanduanes during typhoons Reming and Seniang during her visit to the island province on December 16. Listening on is Gov. Leandro Verceles, Jr. The President also vowed to hasten completion of the Caramoan coastal road, a component of the roll on-roll of project linking Catanduanes to the mainland through Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

Virac, Catanduanes – President Gloria Macapagal arroyo has assured bishop Manolo A. de los Santos and Governor Leandro Verceles, Jr. faster implementation of the Caramoan coastal road which is a necessary component for the stalled roll on-roll off project linking the island province to the mainland through San Vicente, Caramoan.

The President who was guest of Bishop de los Santos during her visit on Saturday, December 16 to assess the damage wrought by typhoon Reming also said that the DPWH Regional Office would henceforth entirely undertake implementation of the 23-kilometer project from Presentacion town to barangay Guijalo in Caramoan.

It was interpreted to mean that transfer of project funds to any LGU would no longer be allowed. Implementation was delayed for three to four months after the DPWH Central Office allowed the Camarines Sur provincial government to undertake implementation of the first P50 million package by administration.

The President was accompanied by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.

During the audience of Catanduanes mayors with the President in Malacañang on December 21, she reiterated her commitment to have the Caramoan coastal road completed after Catanduanes League of Municipalities president Lorenzo Templonuevo of Bato town sought direct assurance from her that the crucial road project is in her priorities.

Bishop de los Santos led Bicol bishops on January 30, 2006 in requesting the President to grant a petition by the CRANE for the completion of the coastal road. Bicol bishops present in Malacañang were Bishops Benjamin Almoneda, Nestor Cariño, Arturo Bastes, Joel Baylon, and Jose Sorra. Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi was represented by Bishop Jose Rojas.

Three days later on February 2, 2006 during her visit to Camarines Sur, the President announced the P250 million funding allocation for the Caramoan coastal road project to be released on staggered basis.