P690M set for Kalinga- Abra road; Balbalan- Pinukpuk nearly done

By Peter Balocnit

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- A total amount of P690 million was allotted to improve Kalinga-Abra national road which started concreting last year with works ongoing

In his message read by Engr. Sammy Bayangan, legislative staff of the Office of  Rep. Manuel Agyao  during the recent 106th Foundation Day  of this town,  it was learned  the  congressman worked out appropriation of said amount and is still working for additional budget to complete the  improvement of the 51 km Abra-Kalinga national road.

“Rep. Agyao is still working to source out additional funding for the completion of the concreting of the Kalinga-Abra road. The P690M budget is not sufficient since 12 kilometers will still be left for improvement up to the highway boundary,” Bayangan said.

He said the road still requires P360 million for completion up to boundary and if provided budget, is projected to be  finished by the end of 2015.

The Kalinga-Abra Road  traverses the municipality of Balbalan.

Agyao added Balbalan-Pinukpukroad  has  P121 million budget  this year for its completion.

“With all of these development coming to Balbalan, we can foresee  Balbalan, being the confluence of road to the municipalities of Pasil, Pinukpuk and to Abra and will eventually become a “melting pot” of Kalinga province particularly on trade and commerce,” Agyao said in his message.

“With the Department of Public Works and Highways, Kalinga District Engineering Office implementing the project, I can foresee Balbalan will be one of the most progressive municipalities in the Cordillera,” he added.