Abra solon sets road networks to other provinces

By Maria Teresa B. Benas

BANGUED, Abra  --Improvement of road networks to spur development in remote areas in the province is the focus of Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Nino B. Bernos. Bernos said roads were needed to spur agriculture development because no matter how much effort the farmers exert to increase their production if they could not bring their produce to the market, they would not be encouraged to work on their farms.

      In his first month in Congress, Bernos had filed 15 proposed House Bills, 14 of which were intended for the conversion of Abra’s provincial roads into national roads for easy access to funds for the construction of concrete pavements and in the regular maintenance of these roads.

The following provincial roads proposed for conversion are actually connecting  Abra to it neighboring provinces such as the Dolores-San Juan-Tineg-Conner, Apayao Road; Tubo-Mountain Province Road; Boliney-Kalinga Road; Dolores alternate road to Lagangilang via Brgy. Libtec in Dolores; Tayum – Bucay Road; Sinalang, Bangued going to the municipalities of Penarrubia, Bucay and Manabo connecting to the Abra-Cervantes National Road; Malibcong-Lacub Road going out to Kalinga and Apayao; Quirsodan Alternate Road going to Licuan-Baay connecting to Abra-Kalinga Road; Pidigan-Pilar Road going to Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur; Pilar – Burgos, Ilocos Sur; Pilar-Luba to San Emilio, Ilocos Sur Road, and San Quintin – Bantay, Ilocos Sur Road.

He also proposed inclusion of the access road within Casamata Hill Loop in list of roads in Bangued since Casamata Hill is a national park.

       Aside from the proposed bills for infrastructure development of Abra, Bernos also filed a proposed law to strengthen the barangay tanods.

     Bernos also filed a follow up bill on the establishment of the Abra River Basin Development Authority which had been filed by now Gov. Ma. Jocelyn V. Bernos during her stint in Congress.