LGU Gensan paves more roads for future dev’t

GENERAL Santos City – The city government of General Santos is paving more roads of the city in compliance with recommendations from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines issued last December 2014. In the Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impact Report of the WWF and BPI Foundation, it was found out that General Santos—since its foundation on February 27, 1939—has only 27.3% paved roads out of its 579.24 km total road network. Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who is serving his first term as local chief executive of Gensan, was alarmed when he received the report. He immediately tried to address the problem through the proper utilization of the 20% development fund from the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

Under the coverage of the 20% development fund is the implementation of infrastructure projects such as widening and paving of roads. General Santos City has an IRA of P1,086,282,535 for 2015, according to the city’s budget office. “I was saddened when I saw the figures that is why we have been doing what we can in the local government to gradually settle this problem,” Rivera said. On June 9, Mayor Rivera and local officials opened a newly-paved road at the Cahilsot – National Highway Crossing in Barangay Calumpang.

This road, called as the Filland Avenue, is a one-kilometer stretch that connects the residential area and business district of Calumpang. Before it was paved, the road was repetitively eroded by rain and usage.  The city government is also strengthening its ties with the Department of Agriculture so that more farm-to-market roads will be built. The Department of Public Works and Highways also complemented the thrust of the local government by implementing simultaneous road widening projects all over the city. (PIA)