P1.3 billion allotted for Mt Prov infra projects

By Ocay Faclangen

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- With the anticipated approval of the 2015 national budget by Congress before the year ends, Mountain Province is awaiting an estimated P1.3 billion for infrastructure projects.

Most will be focused on development of road and rail networks in Barlig, Natonin and Paracelis and Mountain Province-Isabela Road.

Rep. Maximo B. Dalog said with road projects expected to be completed in western Mountain Province, the attention is now being centered eastern part of the province as most roads have yet to be developed.

Among the projects that are already ongoing and anticipating completion in western Mountain Province are: Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Tue and Kayan, Dantay-Sagada Road, Sagada-Balili Road, Sabangan-Sagada Road and Abatan-Mabaay Road.

With the completion of these projects, almost all national roads in Western Mountain Province will be considered paved.

Under the proposed 2015 national budget, Dalog said a total 23 kilometers will be cemented for the continuation of Junction Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Callacad Road while 8 kilometers will be paved for the Mountain Province-Isabela Road including 2.4 kilometers for Mountain Province-Ifugao Road (Killing-Paracelis section).

In the 2014 budget, the Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Callacad Road was also funded with the Department of Public Works and Highways as implementing agency.

Except for a few problematic areas on right of way, this section will be fully cemented until Lias, Barlig.

Other projects awaiting completion in Mountain Province are construction and maintenance of bridges along national roads worth P36.19 million and another P200 million for the upgrading and improvement of tourism roads for the Balili-Suyo-Sagada Road leading to Sagada Caves, Rice Terraces and waterfalls and the Guinzadan-Cagubatan-Mankayan, Benguet Road leading to the famous Mogao Mountain and Enchanted Eel in Gawaan Lake.

Through the proposal and urging of the congressman, significant portions will also be allotted for upgrading of farm to market roads; construction/completion of footbridges including school facilities and multi-purpose buildings particularly for the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College and various barangays.

In an interview, Dalog said with these several infrastructure projects coming to Mountain Province, access by people and tourists to parts of the province will be easier and quicker and spur progress and development.

“We would like to express gratitude to the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III for without his full support to the people of Mountain Province, these developments will not be made possible. We also express gratitude to our people for supporting infrastructure development especially to the land owners who are affected by right of way but yielded their properties even without compensation, all because of their support to development. We appeal to our constituents to do the same so as not to hamper progress and development coming in to our province,” he added.