This was Evardone’s
insights which he shared to his constituents after the ocular
inspection that was done along the highways by a team of American
engineers and experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), Central Office Manila which was led by Secretary Rogelio Singzon.
According to him
Secretary Singzon told him that they are ready to spend if only to
improve the province’s roads.
Cong. Evardone
referred to the huge budget which President Benigno Aquino III brought
home from the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
amounting to some $214M which DPWH would be disbursing for the project
construction in the province.
He reported that DPWH
is set to prioritize the road portions where there are no serious
problems i.e, road-right-of way, environmental issues.
“Just like the
McArthur-Hernani portion where the stretches are quite wider and with
lesser number of houses where constructions would be done, I think
this portion will be done ahead of the rest”, Cong. Evadone
predicted. He also mentioned another example, that of Brgy. Libas
coastal stretch leading towards San Julian town which is oftentimes
washed out during bad weather is a candidate for transfer by using and
passing through the back of the mountain.
“I really see a
world-class, 20-meter wide highway, wide enough than ordinary highways
and of good quality”, he added.
Another good thing he
said with the project is that it is conscientious in protecting the
environment, the water sheds as well as the convenience and safety of
the riding public.
As the project is
likewise very much aware of the number of days to fully finish,
Evardone said that the consultants are asking the suggestions of the
23 mayors, to submit the map of the areas where they would opt to have
the widening and or rehabilitation of the roads would pass through in
their area of responsibility.
Meanwhile, in an
earlier interview, Evardone stressed that bidding of this kind of
project which involves a huge sum of money and which is believed by
many to be the final solution to the road problem in Eastern Samar
will be straightly done at the DPWH, Central Office Manila and not at
Regional level, Tacloban and local contractors are not qualified to
participate. (PIA Eastern Samar)
