0.2 AUG 2016

DATE:
Republic of the Philippines aine:____ be
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

2342

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE WILFREDO S. CAMINERO AND
REPRESENTATIVE PETER JOHN D. CALDERON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks to convert the 30.4-kilometer Alcoy-Alegria Provincial Road in
southern Cebu into a national road to serve as a vital bypass and access road connecting
the southeastern seaboard to the southwest side of Cebu. It traverses the mountainous
area of the southeastern town of Alcoy located in the Second (24) Legislative District to
the southwestern town of Alegria located in the new Seventh (7) Legislative District.

The national road in the southern part of Cebu Province is a coastal road from
Alcoy to Boljoon, Oslob to Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc and Alegria.
Over the years, there has been tremendous increase in the traffic of passengers and
cargo in the Cebu-Negros Oriental route via the various ports in southern Cebu
crossing to Dumaguete and Northern Mindanao. Considering the coastal nature of the
national road and the growing use and importance of the Cebu-Negros Oriental route,
the Alcoy-Alegria Provincial Road that traverses the mountains between the two (2)
municipalities needs to be developed and maintained well as a viable and shorter
alternative route to the southwestern towns. The development and maintenance of the
Alcoy-Alegria Provincial Road assumes greater significance in case of natural calamities
which cause closure and blockage of the coastal highway due to landslides or storm
surges as often happen when typhoons and, worse, earthquake hit the southern part of
Cebu, such as in October 2013 when the said road was closed due to earthquake.


The municipality of Alcoy is 93 kilometers from Cebu City along the Natalio
Bacalso Highway. It has various beach resorts along its coastal areas, but its agricultural
areas are located in the mountainous barangays. It is bounded on its western side by the
municipality of Alegria, which is about 117 kilometers from Cebu City and three (3)
hours ride via Carcar. Likewise, although a coastal town, the municipality of Alegria is
generally hilly and mountainous and known for its various waterfalls and caves.

The 2™ and 7" Legislative Districts are homes to various eco-tourist destinations
of the southern portion of the Cebu Island, and gateway to Negros Oriental and
Northern Mindanao. Moreover, the 2! District is likewise home to the Vegetable Basket
of Cebu which supplies fresh vegetables and agricultural products to meet the demands
of the fast growing population and tourism businesses of Cebu and the Central Visayas.
The vegetables and other agricultural products are grown in the various upland farms
of southern Cebu with inadequate farm to market roads making their transportation
difficult and expensive.

The conversion of the Alcoy-Alegria Provincial Road into a national road will
thus greatly enhance and strengthen the infrastructure backbone in southern Cebu. It
will facilitate the movement of residents and tourists and the transport of the
agricultural produce from the various mountain barangays of the neighboring towns
which at present have to be tediously transported via small farm roads that connect to
the Vegetable Basket and for which there has no convenient alternative access.

With the expected tremendous economic impact on eco-tourism, agricultural
production, and other economic activities in the area, the conversion of the Alcoy-
Alegria Provincial Road will greatly boost the many important roles of southern Cebu
in the development of the entire Province and the Central Visayas region.

This bill was first filed as HB No. 5884 on June 11, 2015 during the Second
Regular Session of the Sixteenth (16) Congress. It was heard by the House Committee
on Public Works and Highways on September 23, 2015. An ocular inspection was
conducted by the Committee on October 17-18, 2015 where a public forum with all
stakeholders was also conducted. All sectors including government agencies expressed
unanimous favorable endorsement. Note that at the time of filing, the towns of Alcoy
and Alegria were both under the Second Legislative District.

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


FREDG S. CAMIN|
Representative
7th District, Cebu 2nd District, Cebu



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

2342

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE WILFREDO S. CAMINERO AND.
REPRESENTATIVE PETER JOHN D. CALDERON

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE ALCOY-ALEGRIA PROVINCIAL
ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. The Alcoy-Alegria Road in the Province of Cebu is hereby

converted into a national road.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of Public Works and Highways shall include
in the Department's program the improvement, repair and maintenance of the said
road, the funding of which shalll be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.