Written by Joel Sanico Aba
I’ve gained enough courage as a private individual to rant a little. Please don’t get me wrong. I love Cebu and it is my second home. But i want a discussion.
Why are poorer provinces like Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, even Pampanga, Davao Regions, Panay Island, Butuan areas, General Santos, have consistently better, wider, more paved roads compared to the renowned “Richest” Province of Cebu?
Just today, I drove from Cebu to Negros Oriental. As soon as I arrive Negros Oriental, I noticed the big difference. The second photo was taken as I enter Tanjay. It’s paved, consistently smooth and the same goes when you travel northernmost or southernmost. Bacolod, Negros Occidental have even more amazing, well-paved and consistently smooth roads. Huge trucks pass this area especially during sugarcane harvest season.
As drivers and passengers, we know so well. Driving along Cebu coastal roads is like passing through an EXTREME turbulent flight. Makalooy. Roads have “holes that have holes in it”. You wouldn’t know how many holes there are that consists a singular hole.
I passed by the old Carcar Market this morning, trying to manuever a car on a seeming canal in the middle of a road. The water is too dark, but there’s no other way. You wouldn’t know how deep the canal is unless you try. When it dries up, thick dusts will eat you up.
You have to keep your eyes wide open, otherwise, your wheels would get stuck in the middle of two pavements where a deep line separates - between the new gutter and the old road. If you know what I mean. You will sway as you drive. What a way to keep you awake.
When you pass Sibonga to Santander, the same consistent situation. Tiny roads, i don’t mind. But just when you thought the surface is smooth, you will jolt because suddenly, you find your car jumping off from a ”surprise hole” as seen on the first photo. And because there are too many surprise holes like this… girl, you better keep your foot on the breaks all the time!
Though there are frequent constructions, I could tell you that this is the same situation ever since I drove the Cebu south coastal roads for the first time, 5 years ago. Sad.
But why does being the “Rich Province” reflect not at least on these aspects? While Cebu has amazing cultural background, other provinces such as Iloilo have truly overtaken it in terms of roadside cleanliness and overall road development in my opinion.
Poorer provinces are too passionate on attaining a level of competitiveness and development. Maybe… Cebu LGUs and chiefs probably know it’s “already Cebu” and that it needs not to compete with anyone? Possibly. Feel ko lang.
I hope I am wrong, and a speedy change could happen to turn these things around. I still believe Cebu will be competitive despite being “on top” and “up there”. Because it terms of road quality at the moment, the truth is…. poorer provinces definitely overtook the richest.
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