‘P700-M road leading to airport, a white elephant’

By Manuel T. Ugalde

Idle for four years, the P700 million flyover-bypass road stretching to the Bicol International Airport has been labeled a “white elephant,” according to Ako Bicol Party-list Congressman Zaldy Co, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. This situation arises amid unresolved traffic issues in the población of Daraga town, located 15 kilometers from the five-year operational Bicol International Airport, following the discontinuation of the unfinished 300-meter flyover bridge starting at the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Malabog, Camalig town.

The Bicol International Airport, situated along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, is the most sought-after airport for travelers from Bicol’s six provinces, despite operational airports in Pili, Camarines Sur, and the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate.

Congressman Co noted that the flyover-bypass road crossing the Maharlika Highway at Barangay Malabog to the airport would bypass nine barangays for travelers from Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Albay’s 3rd and 1st Districts. He described the halted 300-meter flyover in Malabog as an eyesore.

Travelers from the Bicol provinces consider the airport the most available and comfortable option, citing its large size and numerous daily flights, including nighttime schedules, said Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the proponent of the Bicol International Airport. The airport offers a daily Manila-Legazpi-Cebu flight, with an average of five flights daily.

A public works study showed that using the Malabog-BIA route could save 15 minutes of travel time compared to the 21 minutes via Daraga población. However, the erratic traffic in Daraga can lead to delays of up to 30 minutes, said retired banker Lito Tuanqui, former president of the Bicol Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Co urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize the idle flyover-bypass route. In an exclusive interview, DPWH regional director Virgilio Eduarte disclosed that the Malabog flyover-bypass project was not discontinued but merely suspended due to road right-of-way (RRW) issues. He said that 10 affected residential households on the other side of the Malabog Maharlika Highway have agreed to relocate, and he expects the RRW issue to be resolved within the year.

Both Congressmen Salceda and Co suggested that before starting a project, the DPWH should ensure RRW issues are resolved first, citing the agency’s record of suspended projects due to such issues. A nearby widened Busay Bridge was also suspended for four years due to RRW problems affecting nine residential houses.

Director Eduarte acknowledged the necessity of the Malabog-BIA bypass route, noting that the funds are available.