By Betheena Kae Unite A road that will link Manito, Albay and Bacon, Sorsogon and reduce travel time by as much as three hours, is expected to be completed this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said. The road project, which will help decongest the Daang Maharlika Road, is expected to be completed this year, DPWH – Bicol regional director Danilo Versola said. Bacon-Manito Road will be a 15.3-kilometer, two-lane road with five bridges cutting through mountainous terrain along the east coast of Albay and Sorsogon. According to Versola, currently, motorists from Manito, Albay have to pass by lengthy secondary roads and congested Daang Maharlika Road to get to Bacon, Sorsogon and vice versa. With the completion of the project, motorists can bypass the usual route which is four times longer than the Bacon-Manito Road. The road project, Versola said, has three segments. The first segment covers the 3.9-kilometer gap in Barangay Osiao to Barangay Sto. Niño in Bacon, Sorsogon which is already 93.7 percent complete, Versola said. DPWH allocated P183 million in this segment to undertake road opening, paving, drainage construction, and right-of-way acquisition. The P110-million second segment, involves the opening of 699 lineal meters, concreting of 232 lineal meters, and construction of two bridges in Bacon, Sorsogon. This segment is now 40 percent complete. The last phase involves the P150 million concreting of 836 lineal meters, gravelling of 756 lineal meters, and construction of two bridges also in Bacon, Sorsogon. “This road will provide a better and safer alternative route to the traveling public. It will not only result to substantial savings for motorists but also improve economic condition of these nature-rich areas of Albay and Sorsogon,” said Versola.