PBBM, Ombudsman urged: Probe Sagada road project

Ato-Engan-Mobo- Lamagan-Atowanan farm to market road 

Folks, tourists endangered

By Gina Dizon

  SAGADA, Mountain Province -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Ombudsman and concerned offices were urge to probe and take immediate action over a dangerous road project in this tourist town. 
    Writing on behalf of her family and the Atowanan-Malbo community, affected resident Janice Borja urged said officials to take action considering it posed danger to residents and tourists.  
    A part of the damaged  Ato-Engan- Lamagan- Mobo- Atowanan  farm to market road cracked at the height of  Typhoon Egay brought down pavements with obviously no reinforcement and parapet along the Engan section of the said FMR  endangering households and properties below, above and near the damaged road.

 The state of the FMR is reportedly dangerous to passersby, residents, farmers, other locals and visitors who use the road.

Said FMR was funded with P29.5 million from the Integrated Natural Resources Environment Management Program (INREMP) of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cordillera Administrative Region and a P3 million counterpart from the municipality of Sagada.

Said FMR was implemented by the regional Dept. of Agriculture (DA) and the municipality of Sagada in 2018. 

Borja in same letter to Regional Director Cameron Odsey of the  Dept. of Agriculture and DENR Regional Director  Ralph Pablo  asked for immediate reconstruction of the road.

 “The road needs to be resurfaced, and potholes and cracks must be filled. Pavements and parapet must have reinforcement steel bars,” Borja stated in her letter.

     “A thorough inspection of the newly built home should be conducted to assess the structural damages. Based on the findings, necessary repairs should be made to ensure the safety of the inhabitants and prevent further deterioration of the property,” she added.

    Also in same letter to Sagada Municipal Mayor Felicito Dula, Borja asked for the cleaning up of the site and repair of their damaged home. 

    The complainant wrote the Office of the Ombudsman and Commission on Audit that investigation be conducted on the construction of the road stating, “The road was not built to proper standards and that this is the reason for its current condition.”