The City Government recently launched one of its latest road construction project in a ceremonial program last July 22, 2009 at the project site in Brgy. Guinsorongan.

The 5-km Bunu-Anan – Pangdan Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) Project , which costs 5 Million Pesos, has just completed its first phase. It is a partnership venture between the City Government of Catbalogan and the Department of Agrarian Reform under its Agrarian Reform Communities Project (DAR-ARC).

The said road, which opens at Brgy. Guinsorongan, is expected to benefit the interior portions of barangays Guinsorongan, Bunu-anan and Pangdan - communities it traverses. It will also provide access to the Villa Paula, another LGU-assisted project which sits within these adjacent barangays.

The 44,133 sq. meter property is the site of a housing project which saw the LGU in partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and a private landowner. The property is being represented by Ms. Rosario T. Pomida as Attorney-in-fact.

Speaking in behalf of City Mayor Coefredo T. Uy, Assistant Planning and Development Office Raulito Reyes called the two complimenting projects as a good urban expansion solution, one of the city’s thrusts that had suffered a setback due to the recent typhoon that it was hit with.

Senior Agrarian Reform Project Officer Laredo Bru, who also spoke in behalf of the DAR Regional Office 8, urged the beneficiaries to help in the maintenance of the road that was being constructed because it will also benefit future generations.

For his part, NHA Regional Manager Engr. Rizalde Mediavillo expressed confidence that their housing project will be successful because of its partnership with the City Government and a private landowner who provided the counterpart property. Mediavillo said that finding a counterpart property from the LGU was one of the reasons why past attempts to come up with a housing program failed.

“We derive inspiration from the people we serve, and not only from the people we serve because we’re in the housing sector but also from the partnerships that we got from other agencies even like the LGU”, said Mediavillo.

Closing the program in behalf of City Vice Mayor Manuel Van Torrevillas, Councilor Herminia Cabral urged those present to see past the potential of the project and also recognize the challenges that have to be faced in ensuring the success of the projects. “We should therefore put as much emphasis on the challenges behind each potential. Alongside this, should be the commitment to see each challenge to its resolution”, she said.