Road signs, clearing of MP road obstructions pressed

By Andrew Doga-ong       

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Installation of  more road signs and clearing of  road obstructions were pressed by Disaster officials here to make the roads safer. Father Marcial Castaneda, a member of the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council, during recent council meeting, said these were needed to warn the travelling public on the road conditions and directional signs to guide motorists.

The Mountain Province District Engineering Office and Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) were tasked to install additional road signs as they have jurisdiction over the roads.

Castaneda said there have been repeated complaints from motorists and riding public on road obstructions or illegal parking on busy streets.

He cited the practice of car owners using the national roads as permanent parking spaces while others make use of the road as part of their vehicle repair shops.

He said something must be done to clear these roads of obstruction before accidents will happen.

Lack of appropriate road signs, illegal parking especially in sharp curves and other road obstructions were blamed for previous vehicular accidents.

The MPDEO and PEO were tasked to install additional road signages as they have jurisdiction over the roads.

MPDEO maintenance section head engineer Domingo Pumecha said addressing the problem of illegal parking needs collaborative effort from offices such as MPDEO, PEO, the Philippine National Police and local government units.

The issue on illegal parking and other obstructions along the province roads had been also repeatedly raised in Provincial Peace and Order Council meetings.

In the same PDRRMC meeting, Provincial Health Officer Nenita   Lizardo urged restoration of the Talubin, Bontoc Junction – Barlig, Natonin  Paracelis road, which remains closed to traffic due to road cut brought by strong rains last May 24, 2016, as this hampers the delivery of basic services to the three eastern municipalities.

Pumecha said their office is waiting for the release of funds so they can install a temporary bailey bridge while they also continue negotiating with the land owner for the road passage.