Work on the P202.31 million 11.9-kilometer road improvement project funded by the World Bank, with counterpart funding from the DA and the provincial government was suspended due to the community quarantine enforced last March.
According to Engr. Froilan Roman V. Pine, Rural Infrastructure Engineer assigned for Benguet province, “It could have been completed and turned over to the beneficiaries last April if not delayed due to the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions,” he said.
The contract period for the FMR subproject has already ended last February 26, however, the contractor still needed to complete the rectification of defects on the concrete pavement (PCCP) as well as on the unfinished items of work such as road signs, road shoulders, curb and gutter, and concrete canal lining, among other things.
This was aside from delays in the preceding years caused by varying challenges on roads-right-of-way (RROW), weather conditions and other social issues, however, the provincial government of Benguet had unceasingly employed appropriate measures to resolve issues for the continuation of the project.
To date, residents in the area are enjoying a smoother ride as compared to the narrow and rugged road before it was improved. **ELVY S. TAQUIO
