BONTOC, Mtn. Province – The worst effect of the devastation wrought by typhoon Lawin in the province is being felt here as prices of prime commodities are soaring and seemingly uncontrollable.
Local businessmen have also voiced out frustration that supplies are lacking and they are concerned with the delayed measures to bring back the business situation to normal.
The Chico bridge here has been closed to traffic since it was damaged by super typhoon Lawin last last Oct. 20.
Rampaging waters of the mighty Chico River carried away and destroyed a number of houses along its banks on both sides at Barangays Samoki and Poblacion here.
The temporary bridge at Nacagang, Sabangan has also been washed out effectively cutting land transportation along the Halsema Highway to this town. Those going to Baguio coming from here have to hike or ride the improvised “balsa” to the other side of the river where buses and other vehicles are waiting bound for Baguio City. Coming to this town from Baguio means the same process in reverse.
The people are requesting for the construction of a detour at Sabangan for vehicles. Road right of way concerns however are again rearing their ugly heads further posing delays in coming up with a detour which must include a makeshift bridge. However, reports reaching this reporter indicate that negotiations between the Mountain Province District Engineering Office and concerned land owners might facilitate the construction of a detour bridge the soonest.
The typhoon has isolated the capital town for almost two weeks already with all entry points closed by road washouts and landslides. Power and communication signals have been shut down. Electricity and cell phone signals were restored only recently.
With the main roads still closed, prices of commodities which are becoming scarce are soaring.
Shortage of diesel and gasoline fuels as well as prime commodities are now being observed. Stocks or supplies of stores started to be replenished only recently after the Tadian-Nakawang-Besao road and Kalinga-Bontoc road have been opened. Supplies of fish and vegetables are starting to trickle in.
Even hotel owners in the nearby tourist town of Sagada are feeling the brunt of the road closures as many reservations have been reportedly cancelled and tourist arrivals have greatly declined.
With the foreseen delays in the restoration of traffic on the main roads, local business people are now initiating moves to hasten efforts to bring back normalcy in trade and commerce here.
Rachel Chakas, one of the known business women in town, asked for the construction of a detour or access route from Samoki to the capital town across the Chico River.
“Why can they not construct a detour while studies on the damages of the Chico Bridge are being conducted”, she said during the meeting of the Lang-ay Festival Organization last October 27, 2016.
The Lang-ay Festival Organization met to support the clamor to stop further quarrying along the Chico River below and above the Chico Bridge which is believed to be one cause of its sagging resulting in its closure to traffic.
Other local business people expressed support to the view of Rachel Chakas but Mario Lo and Senen Habawel doubt the feasibility of a detour. The only feasible one is from Barangay Samoki down the side of the bridge then through a shallow portion of the river traversing the access road of Abe Fagyan going up to the Tocucan-Bontoc road at Barangay Caluttit.
Both known businessmen said that the portion going up is too steep and narrow counting out trucks and is difficult for small vehicles.
The remedy, they cited, is for the installation of a bailey bridge along and above the Chico Bridge. Load limits may also be set, they said.
Comments from the Mountain Province District Engineering Office (MPDEO) have yet to be secured as of press time.
However, reliable information says that it is also the recommendation of some local engineers.**
Roger Sacyaten
