Mariveles, Bataan — A 10-kilometer stretch of the Mariveles-Bagac Road is being concreted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

A project of Rep. Abet S. Garcia (2nd district), the road improvement is now in full swing with more funds released for its completion, a top DPWH official said Wednesday.

District Engineer Medel F. Chua, head of the DPWH’s 1st engineering district in the province, said aside from the congressional initiative fund provided by Congressman Garcia, two senators have also allotted funds for the project upon the representation of the young lawmaker and his father, Gov. Tet Garcia.

Engineer Chua said another P5 million was also released for the re-gravelling of the Bagac portion of the road.

Earlier, Congressman Garcia had sought the assistance of the national government agencies concerned and some senators after he noted the project’s viability and economic impact.

Chua expressed optimism that the more than 42 kilometers of rocky and muddy road will soon be improved, saying this could generate eco-tourism opportunities in Bataan and would also shorten travel time from Mariveles to Bagac and vice versa.

Usually, motorists coming from Bagac and going to Mariveles, site of the Bataan Economic Zone, pass through Pilar town. With the Mariveles-Bagac, this circuitous route would be avoided.

Earlier, Governor Garcia approved a sangguniang panlalawigan resolution supporting the improvement of the road as this would open the floodgate of economic opportunities for the people in the two towns in the 2nd district.