The Department of Public Works and Highways office in Region 12 has integrated a vital road into General Santos City’s 19.6-kilometer circumferential road network.
DPWH Region 12 director, Engineer Reynaldo Tamayo Sr., said Thursday the road from the junction of the Digos-Makar highway to the junction of the Filipino-American Friendship Avenue has been declared by their central office as part of the national road network.
Tamayo said the move, which mainly expanded the coverage of the circumferential road, was based on Department Order No. 140 issued last June 27.
The road will be under the supervision of the South Cotabato II District Engineering Office, he said.
“Its declaration as part of the primary road network will result to additional budgets for future maintenance activities like asphalting and other improvements, such as widening and construction of additional lanes, upgrading of road shoulders, and the installation of drainage systems and guardrails,” Tamayo said.
DPWH-12 opened the P1.135-billion road network’s northern section last April following the full completion of its two vital components—the Silway bridge and the expansion of a portion of the 10.5-kilometer road section in Barangay Apopong in General Santos.
The northern section starts at the diversion road along the Digos-Makar highway in Barangay Katangawan and stretches to Sinawal road on the General Santos-Isulan highway in Barangay Apopong.
The circumferential road stretches to the western part of the city through the diversion road in Barangays Apopong and Sinawal to the city airport road in Barangay Fatima.
The diversion road from the city airport to the fishport complex in Barangay Tambler is being constructed.
Tamayo earlier said the full completion of the circumferential road is expected to facilitate transport of goods to and from the seaport, the fishport and the city airport.
It will serve as a road artery for transporting goods and passengers to Sarangani province, Davao del Sur and Davao City, he said.
The Mindanao Development Authority had pushed for the inclusion of the project in the national government’s priority infrastructure investments in Region 12 due to its potential economic benefits.
Tamayo added that the circumferential road will mainly connect various agribusiness production areas in the city to various markets as well as provide better access and movement for products coming from other parts of the region.
