BAGUIO CITY – Two high impact projects for the Cordillera under the national government’s “Build, Build, Build” program are up for implementation to help boost development and economic activities in the region.
Department of Public Works and Highways – Cordillera officials headed by Regional Director Nerie Bueno bared this in a Kapihan media forum here last July 6.
First on the list is the BLISTT (Baguio City and Benguet municipalities – La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay) Outer Ring Circumferential Road to boost road access between Baguio and the nearby Benguet towns where the Cordillera Regional Development Council hopes to expand economic development opportunities for regional development.
The project shall have seven sections and a total length of 81.827 kilometers of combined national and local roads. The almost P4.8 billion worth project will interconnect BLISTT to all national roads leading to Baguio City and other Cordillera provinces.
DPWH – CAR Planning and Design Division head Angelita Mabitazaan said the bypass road will help ease the heavy flow of traffic in Baguio especially during peak season as this will serve as alternate route for motorists going to nearby Benguet municipalities.
At the same time, the new road network will boost tourism and invigorate trade within Cordillera and its neighboring provinces.
Part of the project is covered by the DOT – DPWH tourism infrastructure development convergence program.
Another high impact project is the Apayao – Ilocos Norte Road that will serve as a gateway to the Cordillera from Region 1 via Laoag. It also aims to boost tourism and strengthen economic activities.
Bueno stressed that the “Build, Build, Build” program that provides higher expending in high impact infrastructure projects aims to strengthen the country’s economy and alleviate poverty. /JDP/CCD & J. Caringal – PIA CAR/UP Intern
