Two high-impact infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program are being hastened by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR).
Regional Director Nerie D. Bueno bared during the Kapihan Media Forum held on July 4, 2017 the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) Outer Ring Circumferential Road and the Apayao-Ilocos Norte road projects that will help boost socio-economic activities within Benguet and Apayao Provinces, while improving connectivity throughout the region.
The BLISTT road project worth ₱4.8 billion will have seven sections and a total length of 81.83 kilometers that will significantly improve access between economic centers and farm lands of high value crops within Baguio City and municipalities of Benguet.
It will also ease heavy traffic flow in Baguio especially during peak season and holidays, serving as an alternate route for motorists going to and from frequently visited destinations in Benguet.
On the other hand, the 64.24-km Apayao-Ilocos Norte road project will serve as a gateway to the Cordilleras from the Ilocos Region, via Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. It will cut travel time from five (5) hours to one and a half (1.5) hours, as the route between the north-western part of Region 1 to the northern most part of CAR will no longer pass through Cagayan Valley Province, via the Maharlika Highway. The road would also link the municipalities of Conner, Kabugao and Calanasan in Apayao, and Solsona, Ilocos Norte.
Regional Director Bueno stressed that the “Build, Build, Build” program will provide higher spending in high impact infrastructure projects that aim to strengthen the nation’s economy and alleviate poverty especially in marginalized areas.