I AM a Bicolano from Iriga City, who assiduously gets his latest information and news about Bicol, especially Camarines Sur and Rinconada district, from the online edition of the Bicol Mail. You are playing a pivotal role in keeping Bicolanos in the diaspora apprised of the most recent news and developments there. Keep up the good work!

        Mostly content on just enjoying your news and other articles, lately however, I am constrained to express some thoughts on what I feel is a very important development in the Rinconada district: the project to build an alternate route to link the district with Albay province. For many in Iriga City and Buhi especially, there is that dream and vision to see Rinconada linked by road to that part of Albay province (Malinao) and probably farther east to Tiwi and Tabaco City on the Pacific Ocean side.

        The thought that an Irigueno could drive eastward to the Pacific Ocean via this planned route, is simply tantalizing and awe-inspiring.

        There is no question that it would be a tremendous boost to economic progress and tourism in that area. Bicolanos like us from the Rinconada district of Camarines Sur (including this one who is based in Washington, DC USA) dream of that day!

        To hear the news, therefore, that a 60-kilometer project bringing the dream closer to reality initiated by Rep. Felix “Nansing” Alfelor Jr. of the 4th district could be derailed in its track by a mayor (or other mayors involving other infrastructure projects in the Rinconada district) due to “failure to coordinate” is sad and most disheartening.

        For overseas Filipinos who have seen the impact and utility of physical infrastructures such as roads to overall economic progress including tourism could only weep in envy at the extensive road and transportation networks in the developed and economically successful countries. We certainly dream and hope for the same for our country and specifically for Bicol.

        Yet we find, as here, a project of such impact and magnitude being derailed on grounds of “failure to coordinate.” We are not aware of the nuances and proper protocol regarding coordination and communication where projects such as these are undertaken involving local and national government entities. But on projects that have higher purposes, objectives and implications the more appropriate response, we respectfully, believe, from other local governments and officials is to volunteer cooperation instead of soliciting or requiring “coordination.” Any other consideration obstructing the road to progress should be set aside.

RICARDO B. MARASIGAN

        The letter sender is a practising attorney now based in the Washington, DC, USA area. He is admitted to practice law in the Philippines and in the United States (Washington, DC, Virginia and New York).