DAVAO CITY (August 20) – Economic, social, and environmental development in underprivileged parts of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte will be fueled by two completed road improvements valued at PHP121 million, as stated by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11).
The completion of the 1.7-kilometer road connecting Barangay San Jose and Barangay Magwawa in the municipality under Project Package 2 was announced in a news release on Tuesday by DPWH-11 Regional Director Juby Cordon.
The road upgrade now allows for faster transit to and from the mountains, which improves farm produce distribution to markets and access to services in Tomas and adjacent places.
The project’s initial component, a 1.02-kilometer road connecting the villages of Maduao, Tagpore, and San Jose Mahayahay in Panabo City and Sto. Tomas has been completed in December 2022.
According to Cordon, the Davao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office completed both road packages using funds from the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps program.
“Consistent with the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the DPWH prioritizes high-impact projects that will benefit communities and promote long-term economic growth, especially in remote areas across the country,” she said in a statement.
Another road project is now underway in Barangay Kinamayan, which will connect to Barangay Lunga-og in Sto. Tomas. “It is now 91.35 percent complete and has a PHP49 million budget from the General Appropriations Act of 2024. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025,” Cordon added.
