Bicol gears up for major infra projects

Three major projects aimed at advancing the development of the Bicol Region have the backing of Albay Third District Representative Raymond Adrian Salceda, who recently met with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos to discuss the plans.

The projects include the Bicol River Basin Development Program, the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project and the Quezon-Bicol Expressway, also known as SLEX Toll Road 5.

Salceda said reactivating the Bicol River Basin Development Program would address flooding, rural poverty, low farm productivity and environmental management concerns. The Bicol River Basin spans 3,771 square kilometers, with 28 towns and three cities in Albay and Camarines Sur.

"The BRBDP will provide more effective flood control management in Oas, Libon and Polangui towns in Albay with the regular dredging of the Quinale River, wider irrigation coverage, and community livelihood based on the watershed rehabilitation," Salceda said.

He also voiced his support for the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project, which would revive the Bicol Express railway. The railway used to be a vital transport link for both passengers and cargo.

"With the PNR South Long Haul Project, the railways will reopen doors for faster commerce, more so since the Bicol Economic Zone in Pantao Port will be in place by the time it is completed," he said.

Salceda added that a new and reliable railway for heavy cargo would reduce wear and tear on the Maharlika Highway and lower logistics costs for farmers and businesses. He noted that while there is partial funding from the United States for some sections of the railway, more funds are needed to cover relocation costs for affected families.

Additionally, Salceda backed the Quezon-Bicol Expressway, a 420-kilometer project from Lucena in Quezon to Matnog in Sorsogon. The project is estimated to cost 193.6 billion pesos, or about $3.38 billion. Once completed, travel time from Manila to Albay could be reduced to five hours from the current 10 to 15 hours. The engineering design for the 61-kilometer segment from Lucena to Gumaca is in its final phase.