Gov. Gwen Garcia inaugurated the second phase of the road-concreting project that traverses the entire island-LGU of Pilar in the Camotes Group of Islands, providing townsfolk with improved infrastructure for better mobility.
She was joined here by municipal officials led by Mayor Manuel Santiago; as well as Board Members Red Duterte, Mike Villamor, and Glenn Soco.
The Capitol spent P109.2 million for the second phase of Pilar Circumferential Road. It is 6.48 kilometers long, 6.10 meters wide, and has cement thickness of nine inches.
This is part of the three-phased project that is ongoing in Pilar, with the Capitol expected to pour in as much as half a billion pesos (P500 million) to fund the project, which led other groups to question the Governor’s priorities.
They asked why would the Capitol allocate as much resources for an Island-LGU like Pilar, especially that the number of its residents here is not as much as others, and therefore not a good investment for garnering votes in the elections.
“Dili ni bahin sa mga mobotar. Dili ni bahin sa eleksyon. Kining tanan nato nga paningkamot, kining tanan nato nga proyekto — kini tungod kay gikinahanglan sa katawhan. Ug dinhi sa Pilar nasayod ko, usa kini sa labing importante gyod nga inyo nang dugay na kaayo gihulat,” Gov. Gwen, who is also named Pilar, said during a simple program in Brgy. Biasong.
Once completed, the Pilar Circumferential Road shall measure 22 km in its entirety and shall cover the entire island. Phase I which is also 6 km long has also been completed, while the third phase, which is 9.337 km, is still ongoing.
Gov. Gwen emphasized that the new road infrastructure will serve as a vital link for Pilar’s residents, facilitating easier and faster travel for both business and personal errands. The project is expected to boost local economic activities, opening new opportunities for trade and commerce, as well as improve the quality of life for those living in the area.
This road improvement is just one of the many steps being taken by the Capitol to enhance connectivity within the province of Cebu, especially in the more remote areas like Pilar. As the town looks forward to the economic and social benefits brought by the circumferential road, the project serves as a symbol of Cebu’s continued progress and development under Governor Garcia's leadership. | JMT