Kennon Road opened 2-way to light vehicles

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

TUBA, Benguet -- Kennon Road has been reopened to two-way traffic starting Dec. 24, 2023 upon the approval of the Metro BLISTT (Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay) Council.
    The reopening was subject to the conditions that only light vehicles (both public and private) weighing ten tons and below will be allowed, the maximum speed limit will be 40 kph and that no parking will be allowed along the stretch.

    Public vehicles include UV Express vehicles plying the Baguio-Rosario route only. 

    Other UV Express vehicles were advised to take alternate routes.

    Since travel resumed, traffic personnel have been manning the road 24/7 to direct traffic and monitor the traffic situation also as part of the conditions.

    In an advisory, the council which is chaired by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and composed of Benguet Gov, Melchor Diclas, BLISTT mayors and representatives of line agencies said the  decision was reached in a meeting last Dec. 21, 2023 after discussing the post-inspection report of the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Kennon on the viability of reopening the route subject to road safety measures.

    Following the deactivation of the task force pursuant to a resolution, the council took over the responsibilities relating to the management of Kennon Road on its capacity as the governing board and policy-making body of the soon to be established MBLISTT Development Authority.

    Among the mandates of the MBLISTTDA is the management of traffic and transport within the BLISTT area.

    The MBLISTT council along with the City Peace and Order Council had pressed for Kennon Road's reopening to help ease the traffic problem with the influx of vacationers for the Christmas holidays.

    Road safety measures were requested which included hastening road repair and rehabilitation activities, clearing of obstructions, debris and illegally parked vehicles, and installation of signage and other early warning devices.

    "Kennon Road is one of the major access roads leading to Baguio City and the Province of Benguet and is the shortest route to Rosario, La Union to Baguio City with a total length of 33.7 km but closed to the riding public due to its unsafe state especially aggravated by recent typhoons and earthquakes," the council noted in an earlier resolution.

    "As a result of the closure of Kennon Road, alternate routes to Baguio City and the Province of Benguet have been experiencing heavy traffic at the inconvenience of residents and tourists alike.  Traffic in the alternate routes is only expected to worsen in December, when travel and tourist arrivals are at its peak.   Full reopening of Kennon Road at the soonest possible time, provided that all the foregoing concerns are addressed, will result in multiple benefits that include comfort and convenience of motorists, cost and time savings, decongestion of alternate roads, and reinvigorated economic activity along the route."

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Baguio Mayor pushes Kennon Road opening

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Peace and Order Council and the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) Development Authority, both chaired by the Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong reiterated their request for the reopening of Kennon Road to the public this yuletide season.
    The two councils recently passed a resolution requesting the Kennon Road Task Force and the Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera (DPWH-CAR) to open Kennon immediately.
    The mayor asked the agencies supervising the maintenance of the national road to address safety concerns as well as fast track repair and rehabilitation activities as well as clear all illegally parked vehicles thereat.
    The following observations were noted by the councils along Kennon Road, potentially endangering the safety of motorists and detracting from the route's aesthetic scenery: presence of obstructions due to road repair and rehabilitation activities; uncleared debris from landslides; illegally parked vehicles; and, lack of early warning signs to inform motorists of obstructions ahead.
    Kennon Road is one of the major access roads leading to Baguio City and the Province of Benguet and is the shortest route to Rosario, La Union to Baguio City with a total length of 33.7 kilometers but it was closed to the riding public due to its unsafe state especially aggravated by recent typhoons and earthquakes.
    As a result of the closure of Kennon Road, alternate routes to Baguio City and the Province of Benguet have been experiencing heavy traffic at the inconvenience of residents and tourists alike. 
    “Traffic in the alternate routes is only expected to worsen in December, when travel and tourist arrivals are at its peak,” the MBLISSTDA resolution pointed out.
    The mayor believes that full reopening of Kennon Road at the soonest possible time, provided that all the foregoing concerns are addressed, will result to multiple benefits that include comfort and convenience of motorists, cost and time savings, decongestion of alternate roads, and reinvigorated economic activity along the route. - JMPS

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Manila North Road in Pagudpud impassable due to major landslides

LANDSLIDES and rockslides hit the Manila North Road at Pancian village in Pagudpud town, Ilocos Norte hampering mobility among travelers. (Photo courtesy of the DPWH-Ilocos)

By John Michael Mugas 

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—A portion of a national highway in Pagudpud town in Ilocos Norte province has been closed to motorists on Sunday, Dec. 3, due to “major” landslides, the regional Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
In an advisory, the DPWH said that a part of the Manila North Road traversing Pancian village has been “closed to traffic due to major slides” after the town has been experiencing intermittent rainy conditions this week.
    The provincial government said in a separate advisory on Sunday that the “continuous landslide and falling of rocks” caused the portion of the road to be not passable to “all types of vehicles.”
    Pancian village chairperson Jessie Lagundino, in a radio interview, said that the series of landslides spanned at least 15 meters.
    Clearing operations were still ongoing, the DPWH said.
    The Manila North Road is a major access point to most parts of Cagayan Valley and the Ilocos region.

This portion of the national highway often faces road closures due to rock and landslides especially in times of inclement weather.

In January, a government proposal was floated that a second viaduct could be constructed in the area to ease the worries of travelers and to ensure their safety while traveling the portion as well.

 

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Baguio, Benguet execs to OCD, DPWH: Open Kennon Road to vehicles

By Jessa Mardy Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- The Metropolitan Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority Council together and Baguio City Peace and Order Council passed resolutions recommending reopening of Kennon Road to the riding public the soonest.
    MBLISTTDA resolution 8, series of 2023 and CPOC resolution 8, series of 2023 both urged the Inter-agency Task Force Kennon under the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Public Works and Highways to open Kennon Road immediately after addressing the road's safety concerns as well as fast track repair and rehabilitation activities.
    The resolutions also urged IATF Kennon to assist the Tuba local government in its clearing and anti-illegal parking activities.
    The following observations were noted by the councils along Kennon Road, potentially endangering the safety of motorists and detracting from the route's aesthetic scenery: presence of obstructions due to road repair and rehabilitation activities; uncleared debris from landslides; illegally parked vehicles; and, lack of early warning signs to inform motorists of obstructions ahead.
    Kennon Road is one of the major access roads leading to Baguio City and the Province of Benguet and is the shortest route to Rosario, La Union to Baguio City with a total length of 33.7 kilometers but it was closed to the riding public due to its unsafe state especially aggravated by recent typhoons and earthquakes.
    Kennon Road is only opened occasionally to light vehicles during special events to help decongest Marcos Highway and other roads leading to the Baguio City.
    As a result of the closure of Kennon Road, alternate routes to Baguio City and the Province of Benguet have been experiencing heavy traffic at the inconvenience of residents and tourists alike. 
    “Traffic in the alternate routes is only expected to worsen in December, when travel and tourist arrivals are at its peak,” the MBLISSTDA resolution pointed.
    Both the MBLISTTDA and the CPOOC believes that full reopening of Kennon Road at the soonest possible time, provided that all the foregoing concerns are addressed, will result to multiple benefits that include comfort and convenience of motorists, cost and time savings, decongestion of alternate roads, and reinvigorated economic activity along the route.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong is the chairperson of both the MBLISTTDA Council and the CPOC.  
 
 

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Ilocos electric coop sets road clearing to address power failures

By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) said it will coordinate with the local government units for the conduct of major road clearing operations to address power interruptions in the province.

    This, after power was again temporarily cut at around 7 a.m. on Nov. 1 and affected the whole town of Banna, except Barangay Barbarangay; Nueva Era; Marcos, except Barangays Imelda, Mabuti, Lydia, Pacifico and Valdez; as well as some villages in Pinili and Badoc.
    Power supply was restored after an hour.
“    The power interruption was caused by a leaning bamboo tree at (the) three phase-primary line at Sitio Saranay in Barangay Caribquib, Banna,” INEC said in a social media post on Wednesday.
    Last Oct. 30, several election precincts in this city as well as parts of neighboring Sarrat town also experienced emergency power interruption during the counting of votes due to bird electrocution.
     In a week’s time, electric consumers in almost all parts of the 21 towns and two cities of the province would complain of frequent power interruptions in their social media posts, affecting their daily chores as well as businesses.
 INEC acting general manager Cipriano Martinez earlier told journalists power interruptions were due to absence of road clearing operations.
     “So, this time, we plan to have a one-time, big-time road clearing in all areas of the province,” he said.
    Martinez said the road clearing operation, targeted to be done within a month, will be coordinated with the local government units to get augmentation both for heavy equipment and manpower if necessary.
    He also appealed to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to speed up the upgrading works in Ilocos Norte to address recurring power interruptions, affecting both the first and second districts of the province.
    Martinez also asked NGCP to limit power interruptions during the corrective maintenance works to not more than six hours, and to inform the electric cooperative at least a month before the implementation of maintenance works for the latter to have enough time to inform its member-consumers to make the necessary adjustments. — PNA
 

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Programs on to make Baguio roads safer, healthier for motorists

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – The city government is implementing road programs to make roads of this summer capital safer and healthier for motorists.
    These include roadside testing and monitoring, programs such as jeepney modernization, number coding and traffic rerouting schemes to mitigate air pollution due to exhaust gases emitted by motor vehicles. 
    Re-greening on road center islands, pocket parks and buffer zones; having green potted plants in establishments and tree planting in available areas are also carried out for absorption of harmful fumes and release of oxygen.  
    This is according to the Environmental Management Division in-charge engineer Soforonio Pascua, under supervision of City Environment and Parks Management Office head lawyer Rhenan Diwas.
    The information was reported during the 3rd quarter Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) Airshed Governing Board meeting recently. 
    For the past four months every Sunday, as part of the 3rd Saleng Festival, free emission testing was conducted by the CEPMO roadside tnspection, testing and monitoring team (RITMT) at Upper Session and Harrison roads.
    Results showed from 122 vehicles tested, 77 (63.11%) passed while 45 (36.89%) failed.
    Voluntary emission certificates were given to vehicle owners that passed the emission test.
    Voluntary smoke emission testing is also done at the CEPMO North Sanitary camp office.
    For the first semester of 2023; a total of 4,288 vehicles were tested, with 3,484 (81,25%) passing, and 804 (18,75%) failing.
    According to Pascua, vehicles were with compression-ignition (diesel) engines.
Pascua said 121 RITMT operations in 13 strategic locations for the first semester of 2023 yielded 1,109 vehicles tested where 552 (49.77%) passed while 557 (50.23%) failed.
    From the number of vehicles tested, 606 were private vehicles, 206 taxis, 277  jeepneys, two vans, 10 buses, five school services and a government vehicle.
    Owners of vehicles failing tests weregiven instructions and references for proper vehicle maintenance.
    On jeepney modernization program, Euro 4 or Euro 6 types of vehicles, with engines compliant to stringent emission standards were in city streets while old units were being phased out. 
    The number coding and traffic rerouting scheme lessened vehicles on the streets, thus concentration of exhaust gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Ground Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and particulate matter decrease.
    These are noted in comparative reports for the first semesters of 2022 and 2023 where said gases’ concentration fluctuate at testing areas along Harrison, Government Center, and Kisad roads. 
    According to Pascua, additional reports as to the city's air quality shall be presented during the 4th quarter BLISTT Airshed governing board meeting.

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Baguio allows DPWH to cut trees on road-rights-of way

BAGUIO CITY -- City officials recently authorized the Department of Public Works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office to implement DPWH Order 93, series of 2014 mandating the regular pruning, trimming or cutting of trees within the road-right-of-way of national roads in the city.
    Under Resolution No. 580, series of 2023, local legislators referred to the Memorandum of engineer Nora R. delos Santos, chief of the DPWH-BCDEO maintenance division, addressed to District Engineer Rene Zarate dated January 23, 2023 which also referred to the Memorandum dated January 18, 2023 of Ismael B. dela Cruz, assistant chief construction division of the DPWH-CAR by authority of the regional director that directed the DPWH-BCDEO to submit suggestions and recommendations to the letter dated January 13, 2023 of Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan reiterating Resolutions No. 363, series of 2020, 601, series of 2020 and 536, series of 2021.
    For dead trees and live trees leaning towards national roads in the city, it was recommended that the request for an emergency cutting will be approved immediately for the safety of the travelling public and residents in the area.
    The DPWH-BCDEO also recommended that the agency will be allowed to implement pruning of trees within its jurisdiction before the onset of the rainy season pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Department Order No. 93, series of 2014.
    The council requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to immediately approve the emergency cutting of dead trees and live trees leaning towards national roads in the different parts of the city.
    Further, the body tasked the DPWH-BCDEO to coordinate with the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the City Engineering Office (CEO) and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) under the DENR in identifying the trees that will be pruned or cut.

Water Meter Maintenance Fee to increase by November 2023 – BWD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 GRATITUDE. Teodora Valencia, a senior citizen from Ilocos Norte receives a PHP3,000 cash aid from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in this undated photo. Local government units in the province prepared some activities for the month-long celebration of Elderly Filipino Week this October. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)

 

 

DOG VACCINATION. A government worker gives a dog an anti-rabies shot as part of Ilocos Norte’s bid to eradicate the viral disease in this undated photo. All local government units here have been urged to help eradicate rabies in their respective communities. -- PNA

 

 

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Proposed by-pass road in Buyog Watershed nixed

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government through the City Engineering Office raised concerns on the proposed construction of a bypass road at the Buyog watershed including the potential adverse ecological impact of the project on the watershed.
    During the meeting on the proposed project last Sept. 21 at Baguio City District Engineering Office-Dept. of Public Works and Highways Multi-Purpose Hall, the CEO headed by engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo expressed concern on the possible effects of having a road network within the watershed considering the fast dwindling resources in the forest reserve long beset by squatting problems.
Engineer Amy Gas-ib of the CEO Traffic and Transport Management Division also cited Proclamation No. 93 of 1992 which prohibits any infrastructure construction within the watershed area.
    The project may also affect the proposed rainwater harvesting facility being worked on by Mayor Benjamin Magalong for possible implementation in 2024.
    During the meeting, it was gathered that the bypass road was proposed by Rep. Marquez Go in response to requests from barangay captains of barangays Pinget, West Quirino Hill and Middle Quirino Hill.
    The punong barangays cited the benefits of having the bypass road in the area that would serve as an emergency pass and would help in mobility as it would connect two distinct areas.  
    They also said that the presence of the road would prevent squatters from encroaching on open land.  They also said that the proposed road alignment ensures that no trees will be cut.

For its part, the BCDEO-DPWH representative said the proposed project traverses the property of Buyog Watershed, which falls under the jurisdiction of Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and the Baguio Water District.

The BWD also expressed reservation about allowing the road construction as the decision involves multiple stakeholders.

It was noted that the bypass road's planned route will traverse the location of the daycare center.

Noting the concerns raised especially the presence of Proclamation No. 93-1992, the BCDEO-DPWH decided to suspend the project in the meantime that the legal impediment has not been resolved.

The barangay heads will work out the inclusion of the project in the amended process of the proclamation for the segregation of some portions of the watershed for award to qualified occupants.  

The matter will also be escalated to the city council for further consideration and appropriate action.

The CEO resolved to also endorse the matter to the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) “to check on structures that have encroached within the said watershed since it is clear on the said proclamation that there should not be any type of structure within the said reserve.”

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DA-PRDP okays P106-M road, bridge in Kabayan

By Elvy T. Estacio

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- More projects are set for Benguet as another farm-to-market road with vehicular bridge was issued with a No Objection Letter 2 by the Dept. of Agriculture –
    Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon.
    The NOL 2 issuance signaled awarding of the P106.60 million improvement of Balang-Bocao FMR with vehicular bridge by the municipal government of Kabayan to the Balintugan Construction being the winning bidder.
    Located in the municipality of Kabayan, the project has a road length of 2.345 km with a bridge length of 72 meters.
    It is the sole access of Barangay Eddet, servicing around 178 hectares of production area planted with white potato, carrots, cauliflower, and tomato among other vegetables.
    It is seen to provide a convenient and safe access for farmers and residents of Barangay Eddet.
    As part of the PRDP implementation process, a pre-construction conference will soon be conducted to discuss specific implementation guidelines and processes including the requirements for disbursement, among others.

 

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Bontoc family decides to have concrete house destroyed to open road

‘Typhoon Egay’ casualty 

By Christy Mae F. Che-es- Pangesfan 

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A family here made the painful decision to have their concrete house demolished to open a new road following a road cut which transpired here along Sitio Kechay, Barangay Guina-ang around 4 p.m. July 26, which affected transportation of villagers going to the central business district.
    The road portion slid down when the mountain beside it collapsed at the height of recent super typhoon Egay.
    This prompted couple Rudy and Kimberly Langpawen and their three minor children to willingly have their house demolished to pave the way for road expansion so their townmates could travel to the Poblacion.
    Rudy was a former barangay official while Kimberly is an incumbent barangay health worker, said Alpine Killa, municipal information officer.
    Killa said the family did not ask for anything in return for demolition of their house but the local government headed by     Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., is doing everything to address the situation.
    The collapsed road, Killa, added, is part of the Bontoc Poblacion-Guinaang provincial road.
    The Langpawen family has shown willingness to relocate to the house of Rudy’s father in Favrey, Guina-ang.
While their house is being demolished and until they move to the new location, the family's belongings are temporarily stored in the house of a relative of Kimberly.
    The road cut has isolated the communities of Mainit and Guina-ang, forcing residents to walk some 50 meters before transferring to a vehicle to reach the town proper. 
    Following rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) conducted by a team led by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen and Bontoc chief of police Pedro Tactay on July 31, immediate relief operations were promptly initiated in affected areas.
    Mayor Tudlong, Jr., personally led distribution of family and shelter kits from the Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera Administrative Region through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, five hygiene kits from Dept. of Health Cordillera through the provincial DOH, three sacks of 50-kg rice, two sacks of 25-kg rice, two boxes of sleeping kits from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development Office Cordillera and 24 pieces of canned goods, four packs of oatmeal and two family food packs from the Bontoc local government through the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
    Tudlong cited importance of working together as a community to address challenges like disasters.
    He called for unity and cooperation to ensure safety and well-being of all residents.
    The mayor expressed gratitude to various agencies and organizations for their support in the relief operations.
    The Bontoc Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the situation to provide assistance and support as needed until the road is repaired and situation in the affected areas return to nornal.

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Forbes Park area ok’d for road-right- of way

BAGUIO CITY – The City Council recently favorably endorsed earlier requests of Marcoville and DPS Compound barangays here to the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources for segregation of a portion of Forbes Park, Phase 2 for road-right-of-way purposes.
    Under Resolution No. 466, series of 2023, councilors stated the request of the said barangays for the segregation of the necessary road-right-of-way would also be highly beneficial in times of emergencies and calamities, especially in the timely response to calls for help from the residents in the two barangays.
    Earlier, Marcoville and DPS Compound barangays in a joint Barangay Resolution No. 01- series of 2023 requested the local legislative body to segregate a portion of Forbes Park, Phase 1, for road-right-of-way purposes.
    The request for the opening of road-right-of-way from Purok 3, DPS Compound barangay to Purok 5, Marcoville barangay, is highly needed as it is the most convenient entry and exit points going and coming from the residences of people living in the said communities.
    The two barangays are within the Forbes Park reservation that is why appropriate action must be requested from the DENR which is in charge of all existing forest reservations in the different parts of the country.
    Forbes Park reservation is one of the remaining forested areas in the city that help in sustaining the greenery of the city and establishing a good state of environment.
    Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the DENR regional office based in Pacdal, Baguio City for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action to ensure the segregation of the desired road-right-of-way from the forest reservation.

 

 

 

 

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RDC endorses 144 road projects in Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Development Council endorsed June 8 a total of 144 road projects from various government programs.
     These include the Department of Agriculture’s farm to market road  development program, the ROLL-IT 2.0 of Departments of Trade and Industry and Highways and the TRIP of Tourism and Highways Departments.
    These projects, totaling 943.18 km are expected to improve connectivity and access to farms, industries and tourist destinations.
    The RDC also approved the Regional Development Investment Program that serves as guide in prioritizing projects and investments in the region within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. 
    Other plans and reports approved and adapted were the Annual Regional Development Report, the Cordillera Bamboo Industry Development Plan 2023-2025, the Cordillera Cacao Industry Roadmap 2023-2025, and the Cordillera Processed Fruits and Nuts Industry Cluster Strategic Plan 2023-2029.
 

 

 

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Typhoon Egay closes 24 roads in North Luzon

By Faith Argosino 

Twenty-four roads / highways in Luzon are currently closed due to the effects of Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri), which has already left the Philippine area of responsibility, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 
    In an advisory on Thursday, DPWH announced that it has started clearing the said roads in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos region and Cagayan Valley.
    Below is the list of affected roads / highways:
 Cordillera Administrative Region
    Closed in Abra are Abra-Ilocos Norte,Abra-Ilocos Sur  and Abra-Kalinga roads. 
    In Apayao: Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road, Madduang, Kabugao ,Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road, K0663+900 – K0663+940 Eva section; Intermittent sections in Naguilian, Calanasan, Apayao (Calanasan) – Ilocos Norte Road and intermittent sections in Tanglagan, Calanasan.
    In Benguet, closed were Kennon Road, Camp 6, Tuba, Shilan-Beckel Road and Shilan, La Trinidad Road.
    The Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Upper Bakong; Sitio Sabkil sections in Loacan, Itogon were also closed due to mudslide, soil collapse, and fallen trees.
    At press time the Baguio-Bontoc Road and intermittent sections in Abiang, Atok were closed.
    The Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road, Guinaoang, Mankayan were also closed including Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road, Bakun.
    In Mountain Province, closed were Baguio-Bontoc Road, Mt. Data, Bauko section; Gonogon, Bontoc section; Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur via Tue Road; intermittent sections in Balaoa and Cabunagan, Tadian; Mt. Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road, Tigil Section, Betwagan, Sadanga, and Pakkil, Bontoc section due to soil erosion.
    In Ilocos Norte, closed were Laoag-Sarrat-Piddig-Solsona, Manila North Road and Sitio Banquero, Brgy. Pancian, Pagudpud K0472+300 – K0473+100.
    In Ilocos Sur, closed were Tagudin-Cervantes Road, Cervantes-Aluling-Bontoc Road K0387+000, Cervantes-Mankayan-Abatan Road K0391+200, Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur via Kayan Road and Jct. Santiago-Banayoyo-Lidlidda-San Emilio.
    In Cagayan Valley, closed were Manila North Road, Calog Sur, Abulug, Cagayan-Apayao Road, Itawes Bridge.
     Meanwhile, roads with limited access in CAR, Region I, Region II, Region III, and Region IV-B due to flooding and collapsed pavement are as follows:
    Abra-Ilocos Norte Road, Cabaroan, Danglas (one lane passable to light vehicles due to collapsed pavement)
Banaue – Hunduan – Benguet Boundary Road sections in Bokiawan and Abatan, Hungduan, Ifugao (one lane passable to light vehicles due to soil collapse)
    Luna – Bangar Road, K0306+000- K0307+000, La Union (due to flooding)
    Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol Road, Brgy. San Gabriel, Macabebe, (due to flooding)
Calapan South Road, Brgy. Campaasan, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro (passable only to heavy vehicles due to flooding)
    The DPWH said it is actively working to clear road sections. Its Quick Response Teams have successfully cleared and reopened nine areas so far.
    “To date, the estimated partial cost of damage to infrastructure by Super Typhoon Egay is now at P1.54 Billion with breakdown: P419.6 million to roads, P30 million to bridges, P1.07 Billion to flood-control structures, and P20 million to other national government-owned buildings,” the agency said.  -- Bea Alicia Delariarte
 

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Folks affected by road- widening projects in Tabuk to be relocated

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Residents affected by road widening projects here are set to be relocated.
    The local government will allot funds to purchase lands that will serve as relocation sites
    Mayor Darwin Estran֮ero said Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, in  coordination with public works department, is sourcing out funds for widening of the Nambaran-Lacnog portion of the Kalinga-Isabela Road to be able to accommodate the prescribed eight lanes for national highways.
    "The city must be proactive in anticipating the possible displacement of residents who will be affected by the implementation of the road widening project. That is why we are trying to look for funds to purchase possible relocation sites for the people who will be affected by the said project," Estran֮ero said.
    Relocation sites should be available before implementation of the project so that it will be easier for the government to convince affected individuals to be relocated, he added.
    Aside from widening of major road networks here, the public works department and the city government have partnered for installation of solar studs, known as cat's eye and streetlights for road safety of motorists at night.
 
  
 
 
 

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Kennon Road opened;P245-M set for slope proj

TUBA, Benguet – Kennon Road was reopened to vehicles of residents and workers  going to Baguio City at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, after a landslide was cleared which blocked the road here at Camp 6.
    Following this, the Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways said it will build a P246-million rock shed slope protection along critical area which traverses this town.
    The rock shed will be constructed in site obstructed by collapsed soil due to continuous afternoon rains on May 9.
    The construction of the rock shed was recommended in a geological study and analysis undertaken by consultants in 2017 to address road slides along critical portions of Kennon Road.
    Members of Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier inspected the soil collapse and assess clearing operations.

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P50-M allocated to relocate posts obstructing gov’t projs

By Ferdinand Patinio 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be coming up soon with a detailed master list of the relocation of electric poles that are within rights-of-way (ROW) nationwide.
    According to Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anne Sharlyne Lapuz, the DPWH Legal Service and Regional Offices Right-of-Way and Legal Division (ROWALD) will also release guidelines on validation and prioritization of payment of ROW.
    “We are working with PHP50 million budget in 2023,” she said.
    The DPWH official added that ROWALD agreed to take proactive steps and give attention to the relocation of obstructing electric poles, which is a common issue especially in ongoing and newly widened roads across the country.
    “By the end of our meeting, we have agreed to formulate a standard procedure in the actual and physical validation of electric poles located within government’s ROW,” Lapuz said.
    The issue was discussed during the second coordination meeting of DPWH lawyers last month.
    At the same time, she ordered the close coordination of DPWH with the National Electrification Administration on the possible courses of action. -- PNA 

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Agencies told: Give legal basis on road-right-of-way

BAGUIO CITY -- City officials urged the Dept. of Public works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office and Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources – Land management Service for guidance and clarify legality on  procurements made by its representative on the applicable widths of road-right-of-way in maintenance of national/city roads in the city.         
    Under Resolution 197, series of 2023, the City Council’s committee on laws, human rights and justice, in its 2nd indorsement dated March 14, 2023, recommended to request for guidance from the DPWH-BCDEO and the DENR-LMS to cite legal basis on procurements made their representatives on the applicable widths of road-right-of-way in the maintenance of national or city roads in the city taking into consideration for clarifications and illustrations.           
    Among guidance requested by the local legislative body were applicable general rule on the measurement of road-right-of-way in the city; the exemptions to the aforesaid rule; the application of Executive Order No. 621 issued on Sept. 18, 1980 which amended Executive Order No. 113 dated Jan. 1, 1955 which provides for national roads to have a right of way of not less than 20 meters which may even be reduced to 15 meters in urban areas; how reservation of road-right-of-way may be made and the difference between patented and unpatented parcels of lands affected by road widening projects being implemented by various government agencies.          
    Earlier, the council invited representatives from the DPWH-BCDEO, City Planning and Development Office, and the City Public Order and Safety Division of the City Mayor’s Office to shed light on the implementation of the city’s road-right-of-way and infrastructure projects where various issues and concerns were raised on the standard road-right-of-way of national and city roads within the jurisdiction of the city. 
    The Council expressed hope that the concerned government agencies will be able to provide the substantial legal basis in ascertaining the road-right-of-way of national and city roads for the guidance of policy makers and decision makers. -- Dexter A. See

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