BAGUIO CITY – An initial PHP154 million has been secured for the repair of the Sitio Pilando in Buguias town part of the Halsema Highway, Benguet Lone Congressional District Rep. Eric Yap said.
The said part of Halsema Highway was declared non passable by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at around 4 p.m. Friday last week after it collapsed due to daily rains in the afternoon.
In a post on his official social media page on Tuesday, Yap said funding for the immediate restoration of the main road is already complete.
“Ongoing na ang trabaho para mabuo ulit ang main road at mabalik sa normal ang byahe (Restoration works to rebuild the main road are ongoing to bring travel back to normal),” he said.
On Monday, Yap said he has obtained PHP150 million from the national government for the repair of the road while PHP4 million has been sourced from emergency fund to make a temporary road for motorists.
Also, Yap on Tuesday said funding for the construction of a cost-efficient and stronger bridge eyed for Pilando has been assured for next year.
“Phase 1 will start next year pero naki-usap tayo na kahit hindi na cable-stayed bridge ang gawin para mas mabilis matapos. This is a long term solution that we need – and it is coming (Phase 1 will start next year but we requested whether if we can have a non-cable-stayed bridge so it can be constructed fast. This is a long-term solution that we need – and it is coming),” he added.
In a social media post at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the DPWH-Cordillera said: “Ongoing widening, excavation, fabrication, stock filling of boulders, and installation of Baguio-Bontoc road specifically Gabion at the Pilando-Gambang, Bakun section of the national highway.”
The agency earlier advised all motorists to use alternate routes like the Congressman Andres Acop Cosalan road via the Benguet Vizcaya road and the Abatan-Mankayan Cervantes road.
Truckers pass through Sitio Pilando to bring vegetables from Buguias town, one of the two major sources of vegetables in the region, to the La Trinidad trading posts.
Governor Melchor Diclas and Vice Governor Ericson Felipe, in their respective official social media pages, said they have talked with the owners of the properties adjacent to the destroyed road to allow motorists to use their areas temporarily. (PNA)