P2.4 B eyed for linking roads to Baguio, Benguet, lowlands

By Julie G. Fianza

  

BAGUIO CITY – Plans for the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) outer circumferential road are being finalized through a feasibility study.

 The problems seen include road-right-of-way (RROW) procurement from private lot owners and “unique construction issues,” it was known during a meeting at the National Economic Development Authority hall recently.

 Authorities present during the meeting were NEDA-CAR regional director Milagros Rimando, Department of Public Works and Highways regional director Danilo Dequito, and BLISTT executives.

 The proposed outer circumferential road ring of about 80 km costs an estimated P2.4B, with some portions of national, provincial and barangay roads. The project is envisioned to bring further improvement and progress for the BLISTT area.

Motorists could then reach adjacent municipalities without traversing the central business district, or could go from a part of Benguet to the lowlands.  

 The outer circumferential road runs through Monglo-Kamog-Balluay junction (Sablan)-Asin-Tuel-Ambongdolan junction (through Acop-Kapangan road) -Sayatan junction-Ambassador junction (through Baguio-Bontoc road)-Labey (Tublay) - (through Ambuklao access road) – Dalupirip (through the Baguio-Nueva Vizcaya road) – Guisset junction – Tinongdan junction – Twin river – Poblacion – Carantes junction - Balatoc – (Itogon) – Loakan junction– Camp 7 – Balakbak (through Marcos highway, Baguio City) - Taloy Norte – Asin – Nangalisan (Tuba) back to Monglo, Sablan.

Economic growth through the improvement of manufacturing, business, housing facilities and infrastructure along the route is seen. Mining and agricultural products’ easy access to the market is also expected.     

Education, employment, dispersal of economic areas and investments in programs and projects were considered in the study, which presented the economic profile of each area, population, transport, past traffic and road conditions. The technical structure, financial costs, benefits, manpower needed, social impact and measures as to the road ring project were also presented.

The study presented each area’s forte: tourism: spelunking, trekking; agriculture: cutflowers, fruits, vegetables; open forests, mining and manufacture, housing facilities, with Baguio having the least space and Itogon as the largest among the six.  

 A resolution of support from affected municipalities is recommended, after dialogues as coordinated with the National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP). An inventory and monitoring for trees to be felled once the project starts should also be conducted, it was known.

The outer circumferential ring is complemented by the inner circumferential road, including the well-paved Tawang to Ambiong, and Shilan to Beckel, all in La Trinidad. Other roads are also interlinked with the route, skipping the busy roads of La Trinidad and Baguio City   -Julie G. Fianza