The Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cagayan Valley Region will endorse to the national government five proposed road networks of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) that are expected to further boost economic growth in Region 2.

The consideration was made during the RDC 2 council meeting on June 7 (Tuesday) at the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park, Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya.

During the meeting, CEZA officials Cir. Rodney Cacatian, Department Manager for Management Services and Engr. Avelino Natividad, Division Manager A for Environmental Management, who represented Secretary Raul Lambino, discussed and identified the five proposed road networks with a total estimated project cost of P2,640,000,000.00 such as the Pozo-Robo-Sinago road (20-kilometer in length);Pananacpan road (6 km);Alegan road (9 km);A road connecting Port Irene District (22-km); and the road connecting Centro District (9 km).

These projects are expected to provide faster and easier access to the countryside places, seamless and safer connections, transport of people, goods, and services, as well as supports agricultural, commercial, industrial, tourism, and other socio-economic within the project road influence area, hence, maximizing the full potential of Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP).

Cacatian said these proposed road networks embedded in CEZA’s Master Development Plan will complement other development initiatives of the agency within the Zone.

Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 2 Regional Director Dionisio Ledres, Jr., suggested the possible alignment of the road networks projects along the eastern side with the proposed Eastern Seaboard Pacific Highway, while Governor Carlos Padilla, committee chairperson, supported the idea of creating a Technical Working Group (TWG) for NEDA, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) — to further assess and consider the said projects.

Padilla, who expressed optimism over CEZA’s proposed road networks, hopes that these infrastructure projects will bring inclusive growth to the region.

The agency’s two proposed road networks such as the road connecting Port Irene and Centro Districts are recommended for possible future funding under the Project Development Assistance Committee (PDAC) through Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The meetings of the Committee on Infrastructure Development of the RDC 2 are conducted to address the concerns of the regional infrastructure section, particularly, communications, water resources, power generation, electrification, and social infrastructure sub-sector. It aims to evaluate and endorse programs/projects of national, and local government agencies and government units in the Council that require national financial exposure in the form of guarantees, national government budget appropriations, or subsidies, among others.

Also present in the meeting were Department of Interior Local Government Regional Director Jonathan Paul Leusen Jr., DPWH Regional Director Loreta Malaluan, and NEDA-PDIPBD Division Chief Leomar Israel, among others. (Photos and materials from CPD-Tuguegarao City Planning Staff, with inputs from MICHELLE AGABIN-Acting Head of Investment Promotion Division)