According to the data from the DPWH, 26.413-km of the circumferential road were already funded amounting to P875-million and of which 18.749 kms were already paved and 7.664 kms are still under construction.

The data also shows that an additional of P150-million is proposed for funding next year for another five-kilometer road traversing Babak-Samal-Kaputian Road Section and San Isidro-Libertad-Ekran Section.

President Aquino stressed that circumferential road boosted the tourism of the city and the country as a whole affirming the slogan ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’

“Pagbukas po nito, giginhawa na ang biyahe ng mga nais tumungo sa Pearl Farm Beach Resort para mag-water sports, snorkeling o scuba diving. Puwede rin po silang pumunta sa Tridacna Sanctuary para makita ang pambihira ninyong Giant clams; at syempre sa Samal Botanical Garden, kung saan masasaksihan ang nakakamanghang ganda ng kalikasan.”

Aquino jokingly ordered DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson to finish the projects even before its scheduled completion on January 2016.

“Kung Disyembre o Nobyembre, hindi kami magtatampo sa iyo (Sec. Singson) na hindi ka tumupad sa usapan na Enero. Okay lang sa amin mapaaga ‘to.”

Aside from the 6.3km inaugurated project, President Aquino also inspected the 4.7-km section of the IGACOS Circumferential Road, which is still under construction. (PIA11, Michael Uy)