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Monday, August 21, 2006
Tollgate expansion questioned
By Jane Cadalig
THE ongoing extension of the tollgate in Acop, Tublay, Benguet alarmed residents in the area who claimed that the project would block the road leading to their houses.
Some property owners living along the tollgate have asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) not to obstruct the only access that leads to their houses.
The DPWH started implementing the tollgate extension last May but the residents objected to it, saying this would disturb the accessibility of their homes.
Tublay Councilor Armando Lauro said the DPWH should first improve the main road entrance (to the tollgate) before implementing the extension so as not to cause inconvenience to road users. Municipal and provincial officials endorsed the residents' plea to the agency.
The extension is being implemented on either sides of the tollgate. The affected road lies at the right side of the toll area.
The access is a private road but Lauro said the owner already manifested intention to donate the property to the barangay or the Municipal Government.
Accordingly, the extension project did not undergo consultation with the affected residents.
DPWH Assistant Regional Director Roy Manao however denied that the tollgate extension blocks the access road and that residents were not informed beforehand.
"With the plans prepared by this office, said improvement does not obstruct the existing access road. Further, the office has informed the complainants on the plans for the improvement of the road," Manao said in a letter to Benguet Governor Borromeo Melchor.
Melchor earlier wrote the DPWH to raise the concerns of the petitioners.
(August 21, 2006 issue)
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