JAGNA, Bohol–President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated this morning two newly-completed flagship projects in Bohol province which are designed to spur economic development in the countryside, specifically in Central Visayas or Region VII.
Upon arrival at about 10 a.m. at the Jagna Elementary School oval and after a short meeting with local government officials here, the President led the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the project marker of the P60.4million Jagna Port expansion project.
The project involved the demolition and disposal of the reinforced concrete wharf, the widening of rock causeway, construction of a reinforced concrete wharf extension and provision of mooring and fendering system.
The expansion of the Jagna port, considered a strategic point that links the Visayas to Mindanao, would further boost Bohols dream of becoming a hub in the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) system.
The Jagna Port improvement project was begun on April 12, 2006 and finished last March 27.
The project also stands to spur economic development in this fourth-class, agricultural municipality and improve the lives of some 32,000 mostly farmer residents spread out in 33 barangays.
From the Jagna Port, the President proceeded to inaugurate the P1.8-billion, 136-kilometer Phase 2 of the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project (BCRIP) by riding an open-type jeep for the 400-meter inaugural drive-through.
The BCRIP is seen to improve the main road network of the province as it covers 16 towns, thereby reducing travel time by from four hours to eight hours when one travels the whole province, the President said.
The concrete road network completes the Bohol road belt by linking up with the 124-kilometer Phase 1 of the project from Calape to Candijay.
The Phase 2 starts from Candijay to Guindulman, Duero, Jagna, Garcia- Hernandez, Valencia, Dimiao, Lila, Loay, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Tagbilaran City, Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon and back to Calape where it joins Phase 1 of the project that was earlier completed.
The opening of the BCRIP will facilitate rapid transport of goods and services, thereby increasing trade and commerce in the region. It also crucially complements the countrys pilot nautical links stretching across inner seas.
The project was funded through a Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) loan package.
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