Sunday, January 07, 2007 Arroyo gives P50M to complete unfinished Halsema highway works
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the release of P50 million to fund the implementation of unfinished works in phase I of the three-phase rehabilitation of Halsema highway in time for its inauguration anytime this year.
The release was upon the recommendation of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, who saw the need to complete unfinished works along the 88-kilometer stretch from Benguet to Mount Data, Bauko, Mountain Province so that Arroyo would not be embarrassed during its inauguration.
Public Works Regional Director Mariano Alquiza said projects funded by the money were already bid out and ready for implementation the soonest possible time to correct defects in the foreign-funded project before it would be turned over to the Philippine government for maintenance.
Alquiza clarified the P50 million for the phase I of the project is over and above the P323 million released by the government on a staggered basis to pursue the completion of phase II of the rehabilitation works from Mount Data , Bauko to Bontoc, Mountain Province , which has a total length of 50 kilometers.
The full rehabilitation of Halsema is one of Arroyo’s major flagship projects to boost economic and tourism potentials in the different parts of the Cordillera region.
Engineer Daniel Domingo, public works assistant regional director for construction, said P25 million would be used to remove and replace defective works along the Benguet side of the highway as well as the patching up of cracks on concrete pavements.
However, Domingo explained the public works office is still conducting a feasibility study on appropriate measures to be undertaken to remedy the situation at the sinking area in Sinipsip, Buguias, Benguet, which remains an integral part of the project but works are on a staggered basis due to the unstable condition of the road.
Engr. Roy Manao, public works assistant regional director for maintenance, said the remaining P25 million of the fund is earmarked for the improvement of drainage systems along the newly-rehabilitated road-line to ensure that the concrete pavement and the slopes would be protected from runoff water during the rainy season.
Manao explained that drainage systems are vital components of road projects because they serve as buffer zones and protective structures to ensure the longevity of the concrete pavement and slope protection walls along the highway.
The newly-rehabilitated phase I of the road has reduced travel time from Baguio City to Buguias, Benguet from five to three hours and that the same would be true if rehabilitation works at phase II of the project would be completed in the coming years. (Dexter See)
