VED 2

Republic of the Philippines 282619
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 4239

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to convert the Jct. Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II Avenue-Lemon-
Antongalon Road-Jct. Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section) Road in Butuan City, all local
roads, into a National Secondary Road.

Butuan City was the capital of the Province of Agusan until the latter was divided into
two Agusan provinces, namely Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, in 1967. Since then,
Butuan served as the capital of Agusan del Norte until it was declared a Highly Urbanized City
and became separate and independent of the province in 1985.

In 1995, by virtue of Republic Act No. 7901, the CARAGA Region was created with
Butuan City as the regional center thereof. The city became Caraga’s center of governance,
trade, education, communication and transportation, aside ftom being the gateway to the whole
region. As a result thereof, there has been, over the years, a remarkable increase in the influx of
people to the city owing to the consequent surge in social, political and economic activities
therein.

In the light of these developments, more particularly in the areas of trade, commerce and
tourism, it has become imperative for the city to establish viable road networks and ensure
efficient maintenance thereof. One of these crucial roads is Jet. Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II
Avenue-Lemon-Antongalon Road-Jct. Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section) Road which
connects strategic production areas to the city’s key market centers and the adjoining province of
Agusan del Norte.

The road is a major contribution to economic development in the city, the province and
the region. Because of the critical role it plays in the continuous growth of trade and commerce
in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte, ensuring its quality and reliability has been an urgent and
vital concern for the local government units concerned. The LGUs, however, are unable to meet
the financial demands of maintaining the integrity of this road of close to four (4) kilometers. By
converting this whole stretch consisting of different barangay roads into a National Secondary
Road, the national government is able to regularly provide for its regular maintenance and
upkeep, thus preventing the deterioration of its condition and the unwelcome impact thereof on
the economic activities in the affected areas.

For the foregoing reasons, the conversion of the Jet. Mayor Demoerjto D. Plaza II
‘Avenue-Lemon-Antongalon Road-Jct. Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Setion) in Butuan
City into a National Secondary Road is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4239

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE JCT. MAYOR DEMOCRITO D.
PLAZA Il AVENUE-LEMON-ANTONGALON ROAD-JCT. DAANG MAHARLIKA
(SURIGAO-AGUSAN SECTION) IN BUTUAN CITY INTO A NATIONAL
SECONDARY ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Jet. Mayor Democrito D. Plaza Il Avenue- Lemon-Antongalon Road-Jct.
Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section) in Butuan City is hereby converted from a Barangay
Road into a National Secondary Road under the supervision of the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH).

SECTION 2. The Secretary of the DPWH shall include in the DPWH program the
improvement, maintenance and repair of said road, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.