CITY OF TABUK– Three convergence projects being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Upper Kalinga District have a great impact to the local economy and are seen to contribute to tourism development and poverty alleviation.
Assistant District Engineer Teodoro Owek said concreting of the 1.2-kilometer Cagaluan-Sukiyap costing PPh35 million has been completed. This is a DPWH-Department of Trade and Industry convergence project.
“Farmers are now transporting their products easily to the market and travelers can reach their destinations with shortened travel time,” he said.
Owek reported that the Lubuagan-Batong-Buhay Junction to Awichon DTI-DPWH convergence project is substantially completed. With project cost of P35M, this project was targeted to be completed this quarter and will benefit the upper barangays of Uma in Lubuagan.
The 1.8-kilometer Bugnay-Buscalan tourism convergence project of the DPWH and the Department of Tourism (DOT) amounting to PPh100M is 90 percent complete and also expected to be finished this quarter.
“This portion was funded from the 2018 budget. Another P15 million was appropriated this 2019 to continue the project to reach the households in Buscalan,” Owek said.
He informed that with the DOT-DPWH yearly appropriations, the plan is to connect the road until Butbut Proper to complete the circumferential road that connects the tourism areas in Tinglayan. **JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga
