Cong. Rene Relampagos of the First District of Bohol bared that in anything you do, you cannot always make all people agree with you. This is one reality that you cannot do away with. People will always have a different appreciation or opinion of things. This is true in pushing for road improvement works when not all are expected to have something favorable to say; but just the same, ours is a democracy and that we need to respect others’ opinions too. Nonetheless, Relampagos resolves that for as long as he is given this privilege of representing and serving the people of the first district of Bohol as its congressman, he will always make it a big priority the upgrading to concrete of all the national roads and highways within his district including national roads within the city of Tagbilaran. Focused on permanent rather than “band-aid” solutions, Relampagos stressed that the need for upgrading the asphalt to concrete need not be over emphasized. He added that because of the fast-growing tourism industry not only in the first district but the entire province in general, he has to exert necessary efforts for the demands of the on-going development in the province and help pave way for its future.

Relampagos was therefore very excited that very soon the additional P100 million for the road upgrading project of J.A. Clarin Street that will lead all the way to the municipality of Corella (Tagbilaran - Corella Road) will soon be bid out by the Department Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office. This is part of the P608 million that Relampagos was able to secure for the district under the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) tourism convergence program for fiscal year 2012 for improvement of roads leading to tourist destinations. The release of said funds for the implementation of tourism road projects is covered under Special Allotment Release Order A-12-00749 as released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) dated September 12, 2012 as approved by Undersecretary Mario L. Relampagos who signed the document by authority of DBM Secretary Butch Abad.

Relampagos hopes that the completion of this project would help provide the right climate for investors to come in. He added that unless we succeed in providing the right atmosphere for investments, we will have difficulty creating jobs and economic and livelihood opportunities for our people. The development of the tourism industry is the key towards helping alleviate poverty amongst our people by way of the jobs generated and its multiplier effect that will impact our local economy. Presently, J.A. Clarin Street is undergoing a road upgrading project (asphalt to concrete) funded under the General Appropriations Act (G.A.A.) of 2012 in the amount of P50 million. Present work is being undertaken by LABB Construction and is supervised by the District Office of the DPWH under Engr. Ted Castillo. The project is expected to be completed before the year ends. (by Jill Christianae A. Rendon)