The 14-kilometer
road improvement from the junction of Barangay Cogon all the way to OISCA Park,
a Japanese park, is prioritized under the Department of Tourism-Department of
Public Works and Highways (DOT-DPWH) Convergence Program.
DPWH-IX Information
Officer Ms. Ma. Carla Miñoza said the P355-million project will help boost
tourism as it leads to Sungkilaw Falls, one of Zamboanga del Norte’s hidden
tourism potentials. She added that a boost in tourism industry translates to
more job opportunities and economic improvement with investors seen to bring
their money for the development of the area.
Of the 14
kilometers, Miñoza said 11.113 kilometers will be considered in the proposed
2014 DPWH budget, which is roughly P256 million. The agency will also be
looking for other possible source of fund to finish the project.
President
Aquino was assisted by DPWH Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo and DPWH IX Regional
Director Jorge Sebastian Jr. during the groundbreaking rites.
Also present
during the affair were Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG), Mayor Evelyn Uy of Dipolog City, barangay leaders and
residents of Cogon and the men and women of the DPWH-IX.
The road improvement
project is in support of the government’s tourism infrastructure development program
as mandated by R.A. 9583 vis-à-vis the inclusive growth vision under the
Philippine Development Plan (PDP). (PIA9)