By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN de Oro second district Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez thanked President Benigno S. Aquino III for the completion of the Puerto-Sayre Flyover in Sitio Puerto, Barangay Bugo, of his district.

“The President could have been here with me, in time for today’s inauguration, just like the groundbreaking, last March 23. But since he is in the United States, he wanted me to convey to you his felicitations for the completion of this flyover,” he said, addressing the local officials of Bugo led by Punong Barangay Claro Derecho.

Rodriquez also thanked Secretary Rogelio L. Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), who represented the President and commended his personnel, led by Engr. Norma Gironella, Regional Director of DPWH, region 10, for completing the project, within five (5) months, from March 28 to April 27, as planned.

Constructed at a cost Php363 million, under the Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project (MBURDP) of DPWH, it was funded by the COFACE Export Credit Guarantee Assistance of the French Government.

The first ever, in the region, the Puerto-Sayre flyover, is situated along the Iligan-Cagayan–Butuan Road (ICBR), crossing over the intersection with Sayre Highway, which links the west and east regional centers, cities and municipalities down to the southern part of Mindanao.

According to the census done in 2007, the figures of population in these areas registered at 555,966. Records, also show that since 1990, there has been an almost steady increase in population based on the number of births plus deaths plus net migration.

The present condition of traffic in the intersection is heavy and vehicles are moving at creeping speed or at stop and go situation during peak-hour periods.

The ICBR is the main route of passenger jeepneys and buses whose franchises travel fixed-route congestion in the area.

The Puerto-Sayre Flyover is expected to lessen traffic congestion by about 30 minutes with an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 27.53 percent.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez said he has asked DPWH for another flyover projects in the Lapasan- Agora Market intersection.

He also said he has secured a Php150 million funding for the completion of the convention center that was started by the Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel.

“With another Senator Pimentel, I am very opitimistic, the project will see finality,” he said.

Likewise, the Congressman said he was given the go signal for the release of Php200 million from DPWH, this year and another Php200 million, next year for the coastal road of the city.

“We will, also, coordinate with the City Government for a drainage project that DPWH has agreed to fund,” Cong. Rodriquez concluded. pia-10

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