4 months ago
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ILOILO CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has fully opened the P2.261-billion Iloilo River North Bank Road, also known as Sunset Boulevard, in this city on Friday.
The 5-kilometer, four-lane road project is expected to improve transportation, boost tourism, and stimulate economic growth in Iloilo and nearby provinces.
BIKER FRIENDLY Bikers stroll at the scenic Iloilo River North Bank Road which was officially opened to the public on Jan. 24, 2025. The P2.2-billion thoroughfare extends from Barangay Tabucan in Mandurriao, Iloilo City to Barangay Cagbang in Oton, Iloilo. PHOTO BY RJAY ZURIAGA CASTOR
The road stretches from Molo-Mandurriao Road, intersects the Iloilo Circumferential Road and ends at Oton-Pakiad-Mandurriao Road in Cagbang, Oton, providing a direct link to Tigbauan, Iloilo.
"This project was conceptualized to interconnect the road networks of Iloilo City, Antique, and Iloilo province in anticipation for the construction of Panay Guimaras Negros (PGN) Bridge," said DPWH-6 director Sanny Boy Oropel.
"Traffic from Antique and Iloilo City going to Negros Occidental will pass through the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard through the Iloilo Radial 1 Bypass Road connecting through Circumferential Road 2 and 1 and onward to Pulupandan, Negros Occidental via the PGN Bridge," Oropel added.
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Similarly, traffic from the western part of Antique can utilize the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard to reach Caticlan and Manila.
The Iloilo Sunset Boulevard addresses the long-standing transportation challenges in Iloilo City while enhancing regional connectivity.
Aside from easing transportation, the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard features an esplanade, scenic viewing decks, and landscaped spaces, offering recreational opportunities for locals and tourists.
The road project was pushed through by former Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon, who allocated P1.261 billion of his pork barrel funds to kickstart the initiative during his term.
"This project is proof that pork barrel funds, when used with integrity and transparency, can serve as a powerful tool for national and countryside development — not a means to enrich one's pocket," Drilon said.
The Iloilo Sunset Boulevard is one of the many big projects spearheaded by Drilon. The others include the Iloilo River Esplanade, Iloilo Convention Center and the controversial Ungka and Aganan flyovers.
