P121M Jica project in Baguio starts

IMPROVEMENT and restoration of city roads funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) have commenced this month before the onset of the rainy season.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Baguio City District Engineer Ireneo Gallato said the P121 million worth of projects are set to improve national roads in the city damaged by past calamities.

The projects will also include upgrading of asphalt roads into concrete and widening of roads.

Data from the city engineer’s office showed that only 65.539 kilometers of the 95.292 kilometers of national roads in the city are concreted.

Around 27.753 kilometers are still paved with asphalt which Gallato claimed should be changed into concrete to withstand calamities and yearly repairs.

Gallato said the biggest allocation of the repairs has been given to the upgrading of Major Mane Road near the Loakan Airport and leads to the Philippine Military Academy.

Repairs in Governor Pack Road and Kayang Street, meanwhile, will cost P15 million per project.

The Kayang Street repairs, he said, will coincide with the current improvement of the Baguio City Public Market.

Repairs of Trinidad, Quezon Hill, Kennon, Sto. Tomas-Mt. Cabuyao and Bokawkan Roads were allocated P70 million.

The calamity projects also included repairs of the Ferguson Bridge worth P10 million.

Gallato said once these projects will be completed, traffic in these areas will be eased because vehicles will be able to traverse wider roads.(JM Agreda)