Guicadale

Road inefficiency and defective infrastructures are key obstructions that hold back a local

government unit’s passage to progress; thus, how these problems are treated will either bring

development or defer enhancement.

Difficult access to health and welfare facilities and exposure to harm brought by the bad

conditions of roads are some consequences that the citizens have to suffer due to this inconvenience.

In line with its vision of a safe and livable province, the provincial government of Albay

launched a project following the betterment of roads connecting the Bicol National Airport, South

Central Station and some resettlement sites.

Tagged as the Guinobatan-Camalig-Daraga-Legazpi(Guicadale) platform, the project aims for

a more progressive and habitable province for Albayanos.

Safe Economic Activities

The realization of Guicadale had leaped from the success of the Albay Mabuhay, Mabuhay,

May Hanapbuhay catastrophe recover program which also resulted to Albay Rising.

The project involves the construction of the roads from Southern Luzon International Airport,

transformation of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) south central station and granting of safe

houses and lots to folks who are unceasingly in danger from Mayon eruption and Lahar.

The repossessed 76 hectare lot attained by the province will be the new regional center and

will be used to expand the regional offices of the national government.

According to Albay governor and Bicol’s Regional Development Council chairman Joey

Salceda, the project was designed to encourage economic activities that are safe from the threats

posed by Mayon volcano eruptions, lahar flows, flooding and tsunami.

The estimated cost of the project is P854.2 million. Funding requirement for local and

barangay roads is P739.5 million while national roads will require P114.7 million.

Coexistences with Sorsogon

Guicadale will be replacing the MCA project of Guinobatan-Jovellar-Donsol road and will help

uphold tourism for Albay by creating a more efficient travel time for travelers. It will also improve

economic activity between provinces.

The 109.3 kilometer distance covered by the project will provide easy transport of

agricultural products linked to the province of Sorsogon and other neighboring areas.

In uplifting the economy, the project is designed not just to enhance the living conditions of

the masses but also to establish good and comfortable land transportation. It would also lessen the

freight costs for the farming industry when exporting to the local market.

New local and foreign economic investments are also highly anticipated with the creation and

fulfillment of the project that underlies the circumferential road and new arterial roads connecting

the Guicadale and Jovellar to the capital of the province and market center for industry, Legazpi.

“With improved governance, only high power costs have emerged as the biggest disincentive

to more domestic and foreign investments,” Salceda said.

The project will eventually realize the goal to make Metro Albay possible. Metro Albay,

composed of Metro Daraga and Legazpi, will result to a solid province that is more connected and

economically integrated.