April 17, 2026 – The Environmental Management Bureau Cordillera Administrative Region said that the proposed road project connecting Quezon Hill Road 1 to Magsaysay West Service Road is located outside a protected area and is expected to cause minimal environmental impact.
In a letter to Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan dated April 6, 2026, EMB-CAR Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Engr. Jean Borromeo said that the 218-meter road project, located between Pinget and West Quirino Hill barangays, falls outside protected areas and is therefore not covered by the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.
The agency explained that the project is classified as a Category D project meaning that its environmental impacts are expected to be minimal, short-term, and limited mainly to construction activities such as dust, noise, and soil disturbance.
EMB-CAR added that these impacts can be managed through standard mitigation measures, including proper waste disposal, dust control and erosion management.
“The anticipated environmental impacts are expected to be localized and short-term, primarily construction-related dust, noise and soil disturbance within a limited footprint and can be effectively managed through standard engineering and construction measures..,” Borromeo said.
“The environmental risks of the project are therefore found to be within the range that can be addressed through these mitigation measures rather than through a full-scale EIA process under the PSEISS,” she added.
The EMB-CAR head’s pronouncement was in response to city council Resolution No. 179 series of 2026 requesting an EIA for the project after councilors, barangay residents and environmental groups raised concern over the project’s possible effect on the environment considering its proximity to the already critical Buyog watershed.
In the letter, the bureau also noted that a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) had already been issued to the Department of Public Works and Highways Baguio City District Engineering Office on May 7, 2025.
Borromeo also wrote DPWH-BCDEO OIC District Engineer Marion Joy Sta. Maria on April 13 in reply to her query on the possibility of voluntarily applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project.
She said a voluntary ECC application is “not feasible” as it is not covered by the PEISS.
“While we understand the intent to further demonstrate environmental due diligence in light of the Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution, the proper and applicable PEISS decision document for the subject project remains the already issued CNC,” Borromeo said.
In the letter to the vice mayor, the EMB-CAR head emphasized that the project must still comply with all environmental laws. Any tree-cutting or potential effects on the Buyog Watershed will be subject to existing forestry and watershed protection regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The agency said it remains open to providing further technical assistance and coordination with the city government regarding the project, she said.
For his part, Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured the public that the project’s environmental impact would be minimal. He said measures are in place to protect the watershed, including the construction of a rainwater harvesting facility to help address water supply concerns.
The mayor emphasized that the road project is part of the city’s long-term resiliency plan and will serve as an alternate route for residents, particularly those in Quirino Hill.
He pointed out that the area currently relies on a single access road, making it vulnerable during emergencies such as fires or mass casualty incidents.
The mayor added that many residents in Quirino Hill support the project, recognizing the need for improved access and disaster preparedness.
In an earlier city council session, Councilor John Rhey Mananeng, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, underscored the project’s importance for student safety.
He noted that around 200 to 300 students pass through the area daily often during severe weather conditions such as typhoons. He added that the road would allow faster access for fire trucks responding to emergencies in Upper Pinget.
Mananeng also pointed out that initial excavation efforts began as early as 2015, indicating long-standing community support for the project.
Meanwhile, Anselm Tao-ing, Punong Barangay of West Quirino Hill, highlighted the area’s role as an evacuation site. He said the road would help decongest traffic and improve connectivity to nearby areas, including La Trinidad and other barangays.
In Upper Pinget, Punong Barangay Pablo Pawi stressed the need for better emergency access, particularly during critical situations.
Similarly, Larry Dayatan of Middle Quirino Hill noted that the project could enhance tourist access to the barangay’s view deck, while Anselma Mayao of Lower Quirino Hill emphasized the importance of safe passage for residents, especially during past fire incidents.
Representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assured the public that no residential structures would be entirely demolished, although minor impacts on some properties near the road alignment may occur. **Aileen P. Refuerzo
