Road to Naga’s new growth area now passable
By Jason B. Neola
The new road leading to the Balatas New Development Area (BNDA) from the Naga City Science High School in Barangay Balatas is now open to vehicles.
Aside from serving as an alternate route that will help decongest the vehicles running along Magsaysay Avenue, the Naga City Science High School - Balatas Road will also serve as a facility to access the city’s new growth area.
The 800-meter long thoroughfare, which is 10 meters in width, was formally opened on Monday, Feb. 21, by way of a simple rites attended by barangay officials, school teachers and personnel of the Naga City Science High School.
The BNDA is where a new city hospital, an evacuation center, the Center for Safety and Resiliency, a privately-owned satellite market and bagsakan of farm products would be constructed. Already completed and standing in the growth area are the Balatas High School and the Naga City Urban Agriculture Training Center and Demo Farm.
Businessman Robert Obiedo lauded Legacion for establishing the new growth corridor, saying that the move is timely and appropriate considering the city’s congested Central Business Districts I and II.
“Sasabayan namin ang development diyan sa Balatas. We owned at least 44,000 square meters of land in that area and we are planning to put up businesses there.
Obiedo, who owns the Villa Caceres Hotel, and the Robertson Hotel along Magsaysay Avenue and J. Miranda Avenue, respectively, is one of landowners in the area who donated a big portion of lot to the city government.
Another land donor is Adolfo “Aping” Olivan, a pillar in the local business industry, who also owns parcels of land in the area.
The construction of the road’s phase 2 that measures about 10 meters in width, which means the road spans with a total 20 meters in width, will be put up with tree-lines, drainage system, a streetscape and road signage.
NEW ROAD Mayor Nelson S. Legacion (3rd from left) takes an early morning walk with Vice Mayor Cecilia V. De Asis on the new road leading to the Balatas New Development. Photo also shows Councilors Jose Perez, Jessie Albeus, Antonio Beltran, Salvador del Castillo (partly hidden), and Ghiel Rosales (partly hidden). JBN/REY BAYLON/CEPPIO