Posted: June 16, 2011
Tigaon Camarines Sur (June 15 2011) - Early this week, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson did an on-site inspection of the Tinambac-Siruma secondary national road and the Goa-Tinambac Road in the Partido district (4th district) and found the road conditions 'deplorable.'
DPWH Camarines Sur 3rd engineering district assistant district engineer Gemma Timbang said on Monday (June 13) that Singson has pledged the initial release of P 80-Million earmarked for concreting works at the 39-kilometer all weather road upon the request of Camarines Sur 4th district Representative Arnulfo “Noli”Fuentebella.
Sources here said that currently only 6.8 kms. Of the Tinambac-Siruma Road are paved and a long 34-kilometer stretch remains “all weather road” patched only by gravels just to make it passable.
The Goa-Tinambac portion is in better shape with only 1.7 kilometers remaining unpaved of the total stretch of 17.9 kilometers.
A local TV footage of the Tinambac-Siruma Road aired last year showed passenger jeepneys bound for Siruma town being pulled by carabaos out of a muddy quagmire.
Early this year, Siruma Mayor Sandy Ondis complained of the difficulty in transporting relief goods by trucks during calamities via the said road.
Mayor Ruel Villarde of the adjacent Tinambac town said they often help make the roads to Siruma passable to commuters especially during rainy days when the roads deteriorate even more.
Secretary Singson was reportedly accompanied by DPWH Bicol Director Danilo Dequito, Assistant Director Salmo, 3rd engineering district head Eduardo Nieto and some engineers of the DPWH 3rd district. (SONNY SALES)