Marcos allots ₱1-B for road repair in Albay’s 3rd district

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

IN an effort to ease the burden on commuters, President Ferdinand R. Marcos has allotted ₱1 billion for the repair of road networks in Albay’s third district that were destroyed by flooding caused by Typhoon Kristine on October 22, 2024, Rep. Fernando Cabredo said.

Cabredo expressed his gratitude to President Marcos for allocating the funds to rehabilitate the devastated road network, which was severely affected by the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Kristine nearly five months ago.

“I was pleased to inform barangay leaders in Pioduran that the Ligao-Pioduran Road sections damaged by Typhoon Kristine in October 2024 have already been funded and bid out at the DPWH Regional Office V in Rawis, Legazpi City,” Cabredo said.

Once awarded to the winning contractor, construction is expected to begin soon, ensuring safer and better roads for our communities, he added.

“We are grateful to President Marcos Jr. and DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan for allocating ₱1 billion for the repair of these road sections, including the Libon-Pantao Port Road, which was also heavily damaged,” the lawmaker said.

“This funding is a significant step toward improving our road infrastructure and supporting economic growth in the 3rd District of Albay. We sincerely appreciate the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for recognizing the urgency of these infrastructure repairs and ensuring that they were given priority,” he added.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office conducted its pre-bid conference on January 24, 2025, followed by the bidding on February 17, 2025.

Cabredo clarified that the release of the ₱1 billion fund for the 3rd District of Albay is unrelated to the signing of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The impeachment complaint was signed on February 5, 2025, while the funds had been released beforehand.

“I signed the impeachment complaint against VP Sara Duterte to give her a fair chance to explain the accusations against her. To be clear, I am neither pro-Duterte nor anti-Duterte,” Cabredo said.

Regarding the rehabilitation of defective road networks along the Maharlika Highway between Guinobatan and Ligao, Cabredo noted that a ₱866 million budget was approved in 2024, but construction was not immediately implemented by the DPWH for unknown reasons.

Cabredo criticized the department for prioritizing the construction of the Salugan, Camalig road network—despite its better condition—over the Guinobatan-Ligao national road, which he described as severely damaged.

“There was a ₱866 million budget allotted in early 2024 for the repair of the Maharlika Highway within the third district (Guinobatan-Ligao national highway). Unfortunately, we have been waiting too long for the project’s implementation. The construction should have started last year, but we are wondering why the road in Camalig, which is in good condition, was prioritized over the defective roads in my district,” Cabredo said.

Camalig town is located in the second district, represented by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda. Cabredo suggested that the delay in reconstructing the Maharlika Highway in Guinobatan and Ligao may be intentional, possibly to create an issue against him.

Cabredo, who is seeking a third and final term in Congress, is running against Polangui town Mayor Adrian Salceda, a nephew of Rep. Joey Salceda (2nd District), who is now vying for Albay province’s top post.