5 CEZA roads to boost Cagayan Valley growth

By Liezle Basa Inigo

DIADI, Nueva Vizcaya Winds of change are blowing in the direction of Cagayan province where at least five proposed road networks of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) are now being considered.

    Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos M. Padilla presided the RDC2 infrastructure development committee 2nd quarter meeting last week at the conference hall, Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park here attended by Region 2 directors Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr. of National Economic Development Authority, Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr. of Dept. of Interior and Local Government and Loreta Malaluan of Dept of Public Works and Highways.

    This quarter’s agenda includes the proposed road projects by the DPWH, Provincial governments of Nueva Vizcaya and Batanes, and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority; status of Regional Devep0ment Council-endorsed DPWH projects and major projects in the pipeline.

    According to CEZA, these projects will lead to faster and easier access to rural areas, and ensure continuous and safer connectivity and transport of people and goods.

    The five proposed road networks were discussed by the committee on infrastructure development of the     Regional Development Council of Region 2. Present during the meeting were Cir Rodney C. Cacatian, who represented Sec. Raul L. Lambino, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of CEZA, and Engr. Avelino T. Natividad, Division Manager A for Environmental Management.

Cacatian is the Department Manager for Management Services.

    The five proposed road networks with a total estimated project cost of P2,640,000,000 are the following: Pozo-Robo-Sinago Road (20 kilometers in length, estimated project cost P800,000,000); Pananacpan Road (6 kilometers, est. project cost P240,000,000); Allegan Road (9 kilometers, est. project cost P360,000,000); Road Connecting Port Irene District (22 kilometers, est. project cost P880,000,000); and Road Connecting Centro District (9 kilometers, est. project cost P360,000,000).

    CEZA also said that with the proposed projects, the agricultural, commercial, industrial, and tourism sectors, and the other socio-economic activities within the project road’s influence area stand to benefit much.

    The proposed road networks would also maximize the full potential of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) and uplift the economic growth of Santa Ana and the Cagayan Valley Region.

Cacatian stressed that these five proposed road networks embedded in the CEZA Master Development Plan will complement other development initiatives within the CSEZFP.

    Meanwhile, Dir. Dionisio Ledres, Jr., regional head of NEDA Cagayan Valley, proposed the possible alignment of the said proposed road networks along the eastern part with the proposed Eastern Seaboard Pacific Highway.

    Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla, the Committee Chairperson, also supported the said recommendation for NEDA to create a Technical Working Group (TWG), in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

    On the other hand, two of the proposed road networks — the road connecting Port Irene and Centro Districts — were recommended for possible funding under the Project Development Assistance Committee (PDAC) through official development assistance (ODA) in the future.

    RDC2-IDC recent meetings are meant to address the concerns of the infrastructure section in the region, particularly communications, water resources, power generation and electrification, and social infrastructure sub-sector.

    Governor Padilla is optimistic over the discussed subjects and is looking forward to endorsing all major infrastructure projects that will bring inclusive growth to the region.