MORE NEWS, BENGUET

Benguet solon urges probe on P700-M road project
By Dexter See

MANKAYAN, Benguet – Rep. Samuel Dangwa urged the Department of Public Works and Highways to investigate the alleged defective rehabilitation of the P700-million Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road here that connects this vegetable-producing province to nearby Ilocos Sur.

Dangwa said concerned residents and local officials brought to his attention the alleged defective rehabilitation project, particularly in the construction of the drainage system and the slope protection walls along the 43-km secondary arterial road.

The lawmaker added employees of the China Harbor Development Corporation, the winning project contractor, were not reportedly enrolled with the Social Security System and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for the duration of the project.

While he admitted that some defects could not be avoided, he said the contractor must make sure such defects are not purposely done so that the quality of the foreign-assisted project is not sacrificed and the safety of the public is not compromised.

The rehabilitation of the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road cost P673 million, part of a loan package from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Once completed, the road will link the northern towns of Benguet such as Buguias, Mankayan Bakun and Atok to the upland towns of Ilocos Sur, particularly Cervantes, Quirino, Suyo, and Tagudin. Thus, motorists going to the Ilocos region no longer need to pass through Baguio City.