In the joint business meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 2 and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 2 held on June 23, 2015, more than 10 resolutions related to the region’s infrastructure development were endorsed and approved.

Presiding over the meeting, RPOC 2 Chair and Quirino Governor Junie E. Cua emphasized that it was opportune to tackle and address traffic-related concerns in some parts of the national highway within the region as these concern both the security and development sectors.

On her part, RDC 2 Acting Chair and NEDA Regional Director MaryAnne ER. Darauay recognized the importance of convening both Councils to deliberate on development concerns in the region. “In the words of our dear Governor Cua, there can be no development when there is no peace,” she averred.

Frequent vehicle buildup in Sta. Fe

Through joint resolutions, the RDC 2 and the RPOC 2 requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) RO2 to implement an inter-institutional arrangement for a heavy equipment to be on stand-by for 24 hours in Sta. Fe and Diadi in Nueva Vizcaya to clear traffic jams or gridlocks. The Councils requested the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya to install signages for alternate routes within its jurisdiction going to Metro Manila.

Still in their aim to address the frequent vehicle build up in Nueva Vizcaya due to accidents or road rehabilitation, the two Councils also requested that the construction of two alternate roads of the province be included under the Feasibility Studies Fund of either the DPWH or NEDA as well as under the DPWH’s Public Investment Program for CY 2015 or 2016.

Likewise, a resolution was passed requesting the RDC in the Ilocos Region to fast track the completion of the Region 1 side of the Sta. Fe – San Nicolas road. This road was identified as an alternate road from Region 2 leading to Metro Manila via the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). The DPWH already completed the concrete paving of the Sta. Fe side of this road. What is left to be done is the construction of the remaining road section of approximately 17 kilometers and one bridge along the Cabalisian River in Brgy. Sta. Maria East in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.

Alternate bridges for Cagayan Province

The RDC 2 and the RPOC 2 also recognized the need to improve mobility within the region through the construction of more bridges particularly in Cagayan Province. Six new bridges are being proposed to serve as alternate bridges along the Cagayan River, in addition to the existing Magapit Suspension Bridge in Lal-lo and the Buntun Bridge in Tuguegarao City.

In his presentation, RDC 2 Secretary and NEDA Assistant Regional Director Victor B. Ubaldo said that, “when implemented, these alternate bridges spanning the Cagayan River will improve inter-municipal and intra-provincial access, mobility, trade and commerce.”

The Councils resolved to request for the inclusion of the proposed bridges under the Feasibility Studies Fund of either the DPWH or NEDA for CY 2015 or 2016.

Other infrastructure projects approved

The construction of a coastal road that will connect the municipalities of Divilacan and Palanan in Isabela was also endorsed during the joint meeting of the RDC 2 and the RPOC 2. The two Councils also expressed their support for the Level III Water System Project in Baggao, Cagayan which will provide potable and clean water supply to its beneficiaries. This project will be implemented through a Public-Private-Partnership arrangement.

Engr. Marlo L. Iringan, the RPOC 2 Head Secretariat and OIC-Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government RO2, also reported on initiatives for the development of the Regional Government Center (RGC). These include the installation of uniform agency signages in street corners to direct visitors or clients towards the location of the office they are visiting. The resolution passed by the RDC 2 and the RPOC 2 on this matter also allows the DPWH RO2 to collect contributions from the agency locators in the RGC for the fabrication and installation of the uniform locator signages.#