Slow work on P682-M Benguet-Ilocos road hit

By Dexter A See

MANKAYAN, Benguet -- Residents and local government officials monitoring rehabilitation of the P682-million Benguet-Ilocos Sur Road, assailed the contractor for the allegedly slow pace of work which resulted to public inconveniences.

This developed after the contractor of the project reported a dismal 18.84 percent accomplishment.

The foreign-assisted project is now in its 10th month of implementation, but the reported accomplishment is far behind the schedule stipulated in the plans and specifications.

The project funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) was aimed to upgrade and improve the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road.

The project included concrete pavement and slope protection.

Local officials and residents said the drainage system of the road was substandard.

They asked the monitoring teams to watch closely the implementation of the project to ensure the quality of work.

The project also includes the rehabilitation of six bridges which are located in Comillas, Cervantes, Libeg, Baguyos, Tubo, Guinaoang, and Sineclab.

Noting the snail-paced implementation, concerned groups aired doubt over the capability of the contractor to complete the project on schedule.

The rehabilitation of the upland road is expected to boost the development of agriculture in northern Benguet, Mountain Province, and upland areas of Ilocos Sur. – Dexter A. See