[ Manila Bulletin Online ] June 18, 2008
By DEXTER A. SEE
BONTOC, Mountain Province – The implementation of quality infrastructure projects in this province under the North Luzon Agri-Business Quadrangle (NLAQ) growth concept of President Arroyo has resulted in more economic activities in the rural areas and has brought the benefits of the government’s development efforts to the grassroots level.
This was an observation made by provincial officials and residents.
Provincial officials and some residents cited the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cordillera headed by Engineer Mariano R. Alquiza for their dedication and commitment to the efforts to push the thrust of the President for much improved infrastructure facilities in the region.
In his letter sent to the President, Gov. Maximo Dalog that it is during her term as the country’s Chief Executive that the region is given a lion’s share of funds for the rehabilitation of vital roads linking Cordillera with neighboring provinces in Regions I and II.
The improved transportation leads to a better flow of commerce and trade in the three regions, Dalog said. This, in turn, has helped improve the living condition of the poor in rural communities, he added.
Before the President assumed office in 2001, the Cordillera was one of the regions that received small fund allocation for infrastructure development.
This was cited as one of the factors that have made travel in and out of the region difficult. This, in turn, deprives foreign and local tourists of the opportunity to visit various tourist destinations such as the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, the Sagada Caves in Sagada, Mt. Province, the century-old mummies in Kabayan, Benguet, and the vegetable farms alongside Halsema Highway.
Various groups also joined the provincial officials in appreciating the contribution of the President and DPWH Director Alquiza to the implementation and completion of all the flagship projects. especially those in Mountain Province, noting their all-out support for the projects.
The national government has earmarked at least R5 billion in the last three years for the completion of priority road projects in the Cordillera in an effort to tap the region’s potential as a prime tourist destination and the country’s "Salad Bowl."
The on-going projects in the Cordillera being supervised by the Cordillera office of the DPWH include Phases 2 and 3 of the Halsema Highway rehabilitation project from Mt. Data to Bontoc and Bontoc to Banaue as well as the Bontoc-Tabuk-Toguegarao road, the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes secondary road, and the Cervantes-Sabangan road.
Except the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes road which is being funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the funds for all the Cordillera road links are sourced from the annual national budget.
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