NEWS
Bishops peeved over road delay, warn on costs

Bishop Rojas

Urge review of work programs

All Bicol bishops keeping a close watch on the construction of the Caramoan coastal road to ensure that the crucial project is not hampered by administrative and technical problems expressed disappointment over the delay in the implementation of the project.

At least four bishops have, in fact, directly written President Arroyo to ventilate their concerns about the prolonged delay in the project. They include Most Rev. Manolo de los Santos, D.D., Bishop of Virac; Most Rev. Jose R. Rojas, Jr. D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres; Most Rev. Benjamin J. Almoneda, D.D., Bishop of Daet; and Most Rev. Prospero Arellano, D.D., Bishop- Prelate of Libmanan.

It will recalled that on January 30, 2006 in a dialogue with the President in Malacanang , Bicol bishops first specifically asked the President to grant a petition of the CRANE for the continuance and completion of the Caramoan coastal road which was endorsed by government leaders led by Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte and the private sector including the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by William Concepcion. The President assured them then that the project would be pursued.

As this developed, knowledgeable construction engineers who have seen programs of work for P150 million, part of the P250 million pledged by President Arroyo for the project expressed apprehension that the project may not be passable even if the whole outlay is released and spent.

Unreasonably high?

Engineers who asked not to be named for the meantime said that costs in the programs of work they have seen appeared to be unreasonably high especially in the supposed road opening sections that the allocation could be eaten up without a vehicle still able to pass through the 23-kilometer coastal road.

The same sources said that the Presentacion to Bitaogan section of about 16 kilometers had been opened way back in 1991 and even if now covered by thick underbrush much of the initial works have been undertaken. Gravel materials have, in fact, been spread already in some portions.

Project costs have reportedly escalated because DPWH has required sand and gravel to still come from Albay or Tigaon when local sources are available especially from Presentacion town which have met DPWH standards in the construction of the mountain road to Caramoan.

Meanwhile DPWH Regional Director Orlando B. Roces disclosed that bidding for P100 million of the P250 million outlay had been conducted indicating that full blast simultaneous construction work at the Caramoan coastal road may commence very soon aside from the initial work already completed from the P29.5 million funding secured by Congressman Villafuerte outside of presidential allocation.

Bishops’ Letters

In his letter to the President sent last year Bishop de los Santos conveyed the “disenchantment of the people over the delay in the implementation” despite her having already allocated P250 million for the project.

“You will please recall that we supported the petition of the Caramoan Residents Association in Naga City and its Environs (CRANE) which was also endorsed by multisectoral groups of government leaders and non- government organizations”, Bishop de los Santos reminded the President.

“We specifically requested for the continuance of the Caramoan coastal road during our dialogue on January 30, 2006 pursuant to the clamor of the Caramoan Peninsula and the Province of Catanduanes”, he also told the President.

Bishop Jose R. Rojas, Jr. Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres, informed the President that he frequently goes to Caramoan and noted that the P250 million project had not yet taken off.

“The people of Caramoan have suffered long enough from isolation and we believe they deserve to be connected to the mainstream. They have put so much hope in you for no other President has shown such concern for their welfare as you have”, Bishop Rojas said.

Bishop Benjamin J. Almoneda, Bishop of Daet, said that in solidarity with Bicol bishops he is requesting for more effi cient and expeditious implementation of the Caramoan coastal road.

Bishop Prospero N. Arellano, Bishop-Prelate of Libmanan, said he emphatized with the people of Caramoan and Catanduanes who badly need the Caramoan coastal road for the development of the tourism industry and for the continuance of the roll on-roll off project connecting Catanduanes to Caramoan.