BACOLOD CITY – Traveling around Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental has become easier with the improved Kabankalan-Bais Road in Barangay Tagukon and the Kabankalan-Bayawan Boundary Road, both delivered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel stated that these improvements aim to increase road capacity, reduce traffic congestion, and provide convenient transportation access.
“These improved roads will provide motorists, road users, and the general public with better carriageways, ensuring safer, faster, and more convenient travel. They will also facilitate better transportation access by increasing road capacity and enhancing connectivity from one place to another,” Oropel said.
“These projects will also facilitate the cost-efficient transport of goods and services, enhancing local economic development and enabling easier delivery of government services to far-flung communities in Negros Occidental,” Oropel added.
The widening of the Kabankalan-Bais Road, undertaken by the DPWH Negros Occidental 3rd District Engineering Office, marks the completion of the last phase of widening from two to four lanes, providing a wider roadway that will increase traffic capacity.
The ₱39.45-million project, funded under the FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), involves constructing an additional lane on both sides of the existing 2-lane road, totaling 1.568 linear kilometers. It includes the construction of grouted riprap for slope protection and the provision of metal guard rails, ensuring safer and more convenient transportation.
“The wider road increases traffic capacity, accommodating more vehicles on the Kabankalan-Bais Road, reducing traffic congestion, and ensuring shorter travel times,” District Engineer Rodney A. Gustilo said.
“This road section also provides a connection between the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, making the widening significant for large trucks hauling products between the two provinces,” Gustilo added.
The District has also constructed a paved road along the Kabankalan-Bayawan Boundary Road in Barangay Bantayan, expanding the road network and connecting far-flung communities in Purok Mamba-og to the barangay proper.
The ₱67.55-million project, also funded under the FY 2023 GAA, involves concreting a 2-lane road with a total length of 1.76 kilometers and a width of 8.70 meters. It includes slope protection, lined canals, concrete barriers, grouted riprap, solar LED lights, and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
This road section improves the roadway linkage between the provinces in Negros Island through Barangay Mandu-ao in Bayawan City, providing comfortable and cost-efficient transportation.
