THE construction of the P200-million, two-kilometer initial portion of the New Bacolod Economic Highway (BEH) road project starting at Purok Manayawsayaw, Barangay Mansilingan began Friday, February 16.
Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya said the project, with a total budget of P200 million, including the payment for the right-of-way, is the continuation of the BEH Phase 1construction.
The fund was sourced from the National Government budget in 2017.
The two-kilometer road project is part of the 21-kilometer economic highway with the total cost of P4.8 billion.
Gasataya said contractor Supreme ABF was given 280 days to finish the construction from Barangay Mansilingan towards Barangay Felisa.
“We prioritized the construction in this area because the property of the Province of Negros Occidental is also located here and we expect more development in the area,” he added.
Last year, the Department of Public Works of Highways (DPWH) started the construction of the three-kilometer portion of the BEH Phase 1 in Barangay Sum-ag worth P300 million.
The 21-kilometer BEH will cover areas across Barangays Sum-ag, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, and Bata.
Gasataya said the construction of the six-kilometer BEH Phase 2 will start in April, from Barangay Vista Alegre towards Barangay Estefania, with the total budget of P400 million, includes the payment for the right-of-way.
District Engineer Abraham Villareal said it was Gasataya who facilitated the funding for the project with office of DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.
He said they are also preparing for the construction of the BEH Phase 2 in Barangay Vista Alegre towards Barangay Estefania.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia had earlier said the road project will change the infrastructure “complexion” of Bacolod.
He said that once the 21-kilometer highway is fully developed, the city will organize the Bacolod Marathon like those being held in Boston, New York, Chicago, and Tokyo.
