General Santos City, South Cotabato
27 April 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III was briefed by Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson on the developments of the Road Decongestion Projects in General Santos City and South Cotabato during his visit to the province.

According to Secretary Singson, the project is part of the Philippine Assistance Program instituted by the late President Corazon Aquino covering major projects in CALABARZON (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), Pavia in Iloilo and SocSarGen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City). “This is actually just putting the finishing touches for the completion of the circumferential road that ranges to 37.6 kilometers which consist of 2 segments — its northern and western sections — that are expected to be completed earlier next year,” Singson said.

“All the nearby centers of Davao and Koronadal can now have faster access to the airport and will definitely cut their travel time and cost to 50 percent,” the Secretary added.

In a short message, the President reported to the residents that the ASEAN neighboring countries are eyeing the boosting economy of the Philippines as a good destination for business.

He also commended the Mindanao Development Authority and the DPWH for its continuous planning and development projects in the region despite the low budget. “I was impressed in the planning and continuous building of projects of the MinDA and DPWH, which are often times ahead of completion and limited budget that are from the surplus of their other projects,” said the President.

The road network starts from the diversion road along the Digos-Makar Road and stretches to the Makar-Marbel Road going to Tokorong and Koronadal City.

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