Following the collapse of a portion of a crucial main artery into Benguet and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), local politicians are now proposing all sorts of alternatives, including a P2.2 billion cable bridge as repairs are ongoing.
On August 23, a significant chunk of the Halsema Highway located in Gambang, Bakun, Benguet collapsed in a landslide, crippling the movement of local vehicles and transport trucks which rely on the highway to access key portions of the province.
This includes the Benguet agricultural sector which uses the highway as an access route to trading posts and markets in Baguio and Benguet.
While alternative routes in Halsema-Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, via Naguilian Road and the Halsema-Buguias-Kabayan-Bokod Road are available, farmers are still faced with delays and increased transportation costs from the collapse.
Local politicians have scrambled to attempt to aid in the repair of the road and the proposal of alternatives to prevent the future slowdown of major trade routes and travel by similar closures.
Volunteers mobilized by Benguet Vice Governor Ericson Felipe operated mechanical backhoes for the temporary alternate route adjacent to the eroded section of the highway. Felipe, who also owns Tagel Corporation, a construction company based in the province, allegedly came briefly into conflict with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the establishment of the temporary alternate road and protocol, but the DPWH relented and allowed the temporary road, citing urgent public need.
Meanwhile, Benguet Congressman Eric Yap has proposed multiple short-term solutions to the destruction of the road section, including the construction of a short-term bailey bridge over the destroyed portion of the road.
More ambitiously, Yap has also proposed a P2.2 billion cable bridge to connect Benguet and Mountain Province roads at the area, citing the need for more resilient road infrastructure in light of constant weather problems in the region, and the constant threat of landslides and road collapses.
According to Yap, the temporary alternate roads will suffice for the short term, but the provincial government will source out funds to begin the first phase of the multi-year, multibillion bridge project by next year.
