Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas has been requested to heed the request of officials of Poblacion, Tuba for the possible modification of the plan of a provincial road currently undergoing improvement.
The local officials led by Punong Barangay Oliver Paus are referring to the Begis-Poyopoy provincial road, which will connect communities traversed by the Palispis-Aspiras (Marcos) Highway below the Mount Sto. Tomas forest reserve.
The improvement of the provincial road, which is located more or less one kilometer away from the viaduct if one is coming from Baguio, started several years ago, but its completion has been delayed due to some unforeseen circumstances.
Pending the completion of requirements, Paus wrote to Diclas and Acting Benguet Provincial Engineer Jerry Bocanog for possible modification of the plan to make the road wider.
Paus said some of the private lot owners, whose properties will be affected, interpose no objection to the proposed modification of the project plan.
He claimed residents of Sitio Luding, which is between the highway and Mt. Santo Tomas, will most benefit from the road project, as it will shorten travel time to reach the highway.
One of the affected lot owners, who requested not to be named, told journalists that the road improvement project has been a clamor of residents, who have to walk to reach the highway.
“We have some little knowledge how some road projects are implemented and one of the possible modifications is to lessen the zigzagging sections of the road,” the lot owner said.
Information has it that the provincial road is more or less seven kilometers once fully completed. – Harley F. Palangchao
