Residents of three puroks in Barangay Matiao, City of Mati, will no longer have to fear the impending closure of the road to their community as they finally have a new and permanent one.
On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the provincial government of Davao Oriental and the city government of Mati formally opened the road leading to these communities.
The new road that stretches 1.5 kilometers from the highway traverses Puroks Mapagmahal, Sampaguita, and Interco, home to around 239 families.
Residents say that having a permanent road was their longtime dream which finally came true.
The old road they used to pass through is part of a privately-owned land that could be closed anytime by the new owners for development. And with the new road, residents will no longer have to worry about the old road’s closure, said Punong Barangay Dave Devera.
PB Devera thanked Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, who immediately sent equipment to work on the road opening under the provincial government’s Oplan Karsada Program. The City Government of Mati complemented the province’s deployed heavy equipment.
PB Devera remarked that the road was quickly completed because many people pitched in, especially the Governor.
For her part, Governor Malanyaon said this is part of her administration’s commitment to helping the people whom she vowed to serve. She also noted that road rehabilitation is one of her priority programs supporting agriculture and tourism.
Meanwhile, residents and officials honored and thanked the families who generously offered parts of their lands to the communities in need. Although this was a great sacrifice for them, the families opted to donate parts of their land to benefit the communities.
The new road, which is wider and more improved, was donated by the heirs of Maximo Ravelo, Arjun Ravelo, Salvador Gutierrez, Pedrito Peña, and Simeon Tan.
Also present during the road opening ceremony were City of Mati Vice Mayor Enzo Rabat, who represented City of Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat, barangay officials, and the heirs of the donors. ʙʏ ᴋʟᴅ-ᴘɪᴏ | ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏꜱ ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ
