by RG Alama

Davao City (3 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the fast-tracking of the Glan-Jose Abad Santos road which would connect the Municipality of Glan in Sarangani province to the town of Jose Abad Santos in Davao del Sur.

Speaking at the Davao del Sur Provincial Capitol Gymnasium last July 1 during the 41st foundation anniversary of the province, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said that P100-million has been released to finish the artery that will complement the Jose Abad Santo-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle or JAGS-CT.

"I want to connect Glan to Davao del Sur." The President said noting the distance between the two municipalities under the present road network. "The Glan portion has been complete, kulang nalang ang Jose Abad Santos segment ma-completo," the President noted.

This will be the new direction of the new Undersecretary of the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Usec Momo. to finish the Glan-Abad Santos road.

Last June the President in her visit to Tandag City tasked the-then Caraga DPWH Regional Director Romeo Momo to oversee the completion of the P2.4 billion Davao-Surigao del Sur Coastal Road project.

"This will be his inaugural duty as the Usec for Mindanao," the President said during her speech at the Davao del Sur provincial gymnasium, in which she put the new DPWH Undersecretary to oversee the completion of this road network.

Noting the remoteness of the project which could be a difficult project for private contractors she advised the Undersecretary to utilize the army's engineering brigade if necessary in order to hasten the contruction.

For his part Usec. Momo said that they are staying true to the President's directive to fast-track the road's completion. "Ang Abad Santos ang hindi pa passable. With the P100-million mapaagi na siya (the road can be accessible)."