A panel in the House of Representatives has approved the proposed construction of a 240-kilometer trans-Mindanao superhighway.
The House committee on public works and highways chaired by Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona recommended for plenary approval House Bill 2799 authored by deputy speaker and Cagayan de Oro City second-district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said the construction of the highway that would connect the Caraga Region and northern Mindanao to the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental would greatly contribute to the development of the island of Mindanao.
“At present, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur are isolated from western Mindanao due to absence of an east-to-west highway,” he said.
“Also, the proposed highway would allow people from the Caraga Region access to the Laguindingan Airport, with travel time of four hours from Tandag City in Surigao del Sur,” he said.
With such a road network, people in these parts of Mindanao would no longer have to go to Cebu or Manila for travels within and outside the country, he added.
“Further, a new highway would open up large tracts of agricultural land in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City to agricultural, commercial, residential, and industrial development,” Rodriguez stressed.
The bill mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways to construct the 240-kilometer trans-Mindanao highway that would connect Tandag to the Laguindingan International Airport.
“This superhighway would pass through Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur and Malaybalay and Talakag in Bukidnon, which will connect with Talakag-Barangay Donsolihon road and the Barangay Donsolihon-Barangay San Simon-Laguindingan Airport highway,” Rodriguez said.
Funds for the planned trans-Mindanao superhighway are to be included in the proposed annual budget.
The proposed law would take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.