• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) that has been extended to Sagay City from Victorias City, has an allocated budget of P55 million, disclosed Rep. Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III yesterday.
The P55 million budget, according to Marañon, is exclusively for use in the construction of the road network, while the purchase of right of way has a separate budget.
BANOCEH stretches from Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod City to Victorias City, and was further extended by the Department of Public Works and Highways to Sagay City.
Marañon stressed the alternative road network will not pass through the Northern Negros Natural Park, but will be parallel to the existing national highway.
Sagay City Mayor Narwin Javelosa said using the alternative road network will save 15 to 20 minutes of travel time from Victorias City to Sagay City.
Marañon said it will also help in the decongestion of the existing national highway, as cargo trucks, especially those loaded with sugarcane, will no longer pass the highway.
Once finished, it will further boost the local economy, the solon said, citing the road concreting projects from the Cadiz City to its hinterland barangays, where cafes and resorts have started to sprout.
It will also make the transport of agricultural products, from the hinterlands to the poblacion easier, Marañon further said.
On the other hand, Javelosa said the expansion of Sagay City port, which caters to roro vessels from Tabuela, Cebu, Estancia in Iloilo and Batangas in southern Luzon, continues.
During the opening of 28th Sinigayan Festival on March 15, Marañon, Javelosa, and Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva also led the inauguration and blessing of the P158 million modernized Sagay City gymnasium and National Bureau of Investigation Clearance Center.*
