DPWH rushes opening of Talubin-Barlig road

By Roger Sacyaten

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial Dept. of Public Works and Highways is exerting efforts to reopen the Talubin-Barlig road which was closed since May.  

In an interview with District Engineer Wilbur Likigan, it was known that the agency is doing everything to act on the situation considering negotiations like with affected landowners took time.

“Men innanus tako (Let us bear with the situation),” he said, adding their office will be installing a bailey bridge instead of the construction of a detour.

It was gathered that the panels needed are available but the components such as pins, braces among others are being completed.

He informed this writer that their office is sourcing out the lacking accessories from other engineering districts in the region.

“Once completed, we will immediately start the works which is expected soon within the month”, he said.

The road was washed out at km. 386 +700, Balabag section, along the Talubin-Barlig May 21 due to heavy rain that night.

Since then the road remained closed preventing access to eastern municipalities of Barlig and Natonin.

Travellers walk from one side to the other through a trail to transfer to waiting rides at the other side to their respective destinations.

Cargoes have to be hauled.

However, there are also ongoing construction works at along the Barlig-Natonin road that need delivery of aggregates and other construction materials, and even construction equipment.

Likigan said negotiations transpired for the opening of a detour but the owner of the adjacent land allegedly stood pat on his decision not to allow works unless he is paid a hefty amount in consideration which the Dept. of Public Works and Highways cannot afford.

Complaints from the public were aired for restoration of the road.

A netizen in the social media said reopening of the road isolated municipalities of Barlig and Natonin for two months.