Davao City (10 July) -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region XI endorsed the conversion of the Nabunturan-Maragusan Road in Compostela Valley into a national road during its 2nd Quarterly Regular Meeting today at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

RDC XI Vice-Chair Nicasio Angelo J. Agustin, who presided the Council meeting, said that the road conversion was recommended by the Provincial Development Council of Compostela Valley to speed up the road's improvement.

Agustin, who is also NEDA Regional Office XI Director, said that the road was once a mining road but is now frequently used by public transport and banana companies with plantations in Maragusan due to its proximity to the cities of Tagum and Davao. It has, however, remained a gravel surface road.

Agustin added that once the road is improved through national government assistance, travel time could be reduced and draw more investments to the municipalities of Maragusan and New Bataan, which have high potential not only for agricultural development but also for mining and ecotourism.

The road also connects to the Maragusan-Mati road which is being eyed for further improvement to serve the mining industry and the riding public in the area. The improvement of the Nabunturan-Maragusan road will hasten travel from Nabunturan and neighboring municipalities to Mati City. Currently, travel to Mati City entails taking the circuitous national highway through Tagum City and the zigzags in Mati City.