DPWH: Butuan-Magallanes Road to be Finished by 2022

The 7.55-kilometer Banza-Magallanes Road in Agusan del Norte is eyed to be completed by 2022.

Currently being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 13, the PHP1.55-billion project is being funded under the Multi-Year Allocation Program.

Once completed, the new road will decrease travel time from the town of Magallanes to Butuan City via Daang Maharlika and vice versa from one hour to 15 minutes.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar made the forecast for the program being done through a convergence project with the Department of Tourism as the new road will connect the Municipalities of Magallanes and Cabadbaran City to Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

"The new road network is designed to promote tourist destination areas in the province such as the scenic Centennial Tree and Branches that can boost the region's economic competitiveness," the DPWH chief said.

Commenced since 2015, DPWH has already constructed a 4.88-kilometer gravel road and concreted 1.28-kilometer of road while construction of 2.46-kilometer road and 0.35-kilometer gravel road is on-going.

"The project also includes construction of two bridges along the Banza-Magallanes Road, namely Buhang Bridge and Banza Bridge II," Villar explained.