P1-B P’sinan-Vizcaya road work halted; NPAs sighted

By Liezle Basa Iñigo

SAN NICOLAS, Pangasinan — Construction of the P1-billion Pangasinan-Nueva Vizcaya road project also known as the Valle Verde Trail has been suspended due to New People’s Army sightings in this town for the safety of at least 100 workers and personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways,

“We were committed to Public Works Secretary (Mark) Villar that by December this year the Villa Verde trail will be finished and will be opened,” said engineer Larry Flores of the DPWH 33d Engineering District-Pangasinan.

However, engineer Narchito Arpilleda, administrative officer, said the P1-billion project had to be temporarily suspended based on security concerns over the presence of NPA rebels as raised by both the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Both the PNP and the AFP called for suspension of ongoing construction for  safety of the workers following last July 28’s encounter which resulted in the death of one and the wounding of another in Barangay Malico, here.

The DPWH personnel are still waiting for the go signal from the PNP to operate and continue construction activities, said Flores.

Arpilleda said that once completed, the Villa Verde Trail would be used as an alternative route from Manila to Isabela and Cagayan provinces when the Dalton Pass Road in Sta. Fe is closed due to landslides and vehicular accidents.

Flores vowed to work double-time on the project once they resume construction. “Hahabol kami sa aming pangako kay secretary (We’ll catch up with the work to deliver what we promised the secretary),” he said.