The multi-million peso diversion road project in Dumaguete City has been downgraded, at least for this year, Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said after his attendance to the Regional Development Council 7 meeting recently.

The proposed Bacong-Dumaguete-Sibulan diversion road is 20 meters wide and is estimated to cost P360 million.

Works in certain portions of the proposed diversion road was started during the time of then mayor and late Gov. Agustin Perdices, using local funds to ease the flow of traffic in the commercial district.

Sagarbarria said he was assured by the Department of Budget and Management early this year that at least P100 million was ready to start the project.

“(But) such funding could not be found this year,” he added.

City Hall insiders believed something fishy is going on as the midterm 2013 election draws near, like what happened to the first 50 percent of the calamity fund already given to Negros Oriental but was withdrawn by DBM.

This year, P5 million was allotted for the rehabilitation of Banica River and another P5 million for Okoy River in the Dumaguete side, Sagarbarria said.

He added that with regard the proposed diversion road, funding was downgraded as second priority and the project may be implemented in 2013 or in 2014 yet.*JG

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