The local government of Corella is pushing for the widening of the national road from the city leading to the said town in anticipation of businesses setting up shop in the municipality, its mayor said.

According to Corella Mayor Nicanor Tocmo, Governor Edgar Chatto had assured him that there will be a widening project for the Tagbilaran-Corella stretch of the national road but no definite timetable has been set yet.

There had been rumors on the establishment of an SM-owned mall in the town but Tocmo said that these reports remain unverified as concerned parties have not mentioned or confirmed them.

Other companies have also not spoken to the mayor yet about the construction of big businesses in the area.

Tocmo also said that it is not ideal to have big establishments in the town as it could damage water sources in the area which Tagbilaran City and neighboring towns are depending on for water supply.

Noting the town’s prioritization of the road widening initiative, the mayor added that the city’s growth is positively affecting the nearby town’s productivity and that more vehicles are passing through Corella.

The narrowness of the said road which has one lane each toward opposite directions is among the main causes of accidents in the area, particularly road mishaps involving motorcycles.

Currently, only roads leading out of the city and toward Cortes and Baclayon are being widened. (with reports from Allen Doydora)