REHABILITATION and restoration of road slip will be implemented along Baguio-Bontoc road at Sinipsip, Buguias, Benguet this year following the approval of P28.43 million by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sourced out by Representative Nestor Fongwan Sr.
DPWH approved the Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) for the rehabilitation of road particularly at Sinipsip, Buguias which was included in the annual budget of the national government this year and due for implementation until the end of the year.
The road was damaged last year when Typhoon Ompong lashed the country, aggravated by continuous rains and affected the transport of agricultural products from the vegetable farms of northern Benguet and parts of Mountain Province and Ifugao.
Fongwan Sr. also asked the aid of DPWH Secretary Mark Villar for the immediate release of P26,123,503 restoration of road slip along Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan Bakun road in Gambang, Bakun, Benguet.
The work entails rehabilitation of curb and gutter, gabion, flume and concrete box culvert for 90 days.
“Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun road is a major alternate road used by farmers coming from the municipalities of Buguias and Mankayan, Benguet, the Mountain Province and Ifugao, during the rainy and typhoon season, especially if there are road cuts along Baguio-Bontoc road, thus, the necessity of restoring the identified road slip. Doing so would allow the free flow of vegetable product in our market and for the rest of Benguet avoiding isolation during calamities,” Fongwan Sr. said.
To ensure safety of motorists, the solon also penned Villar asking allocation for the repair of the sinking area along Baguio-Bauang Road at Sitio Kalikip, Banangan, Sablan, Benguet.
“The road section could be restored and stabilized by constructing well-designed slope stabilization retaining wall which is sufficient to hold the upper slope materials,” Fongwan Sr. added.
Baguio-Bauang road is one of the three roads leading to Baguio City, Benguet and Cordillera region.
The alderman earlier asked the help of Villar to allocate appropriate funds for the Balili Bridge in La Trinidad, Benguet.
At least P50 million is needed for the replacement of the bridge.
La Trinidad officials said the old bridge have survived the 1990 earthquake and several calamities such as flash floods and typhoons.