BANGUED, Abra – The cooperation of local officials, concerned government agencies and the public was instrumental in making the Abra District Engineering Office win for the second year in a row the road-right-of-way (RROW) enhancement program of the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-CAR), Engr. Loreto Dacuruon, Abra district engineer, said here.
Dacuruon said stakeholders were able to contribute for the implementation of their RROW priority project that was adjudged as the best RROW enhancement project last year.
It can be recalled that the Abra District Engineering Office bagged the same award during the initial stagoing of the contest among district offices of the DPWH in 2013 as part of the priority project of the DPWH-CAR in order to provide added sceneries among roads leading to the different provinces in the region.
“We will maintain the beautification of our road-right-of-way in order to provide an attraction for our local residents and visitors traversing along our highways,” Dacuruon stressed.
Engr. Edilberto P. Carabbacan, DPWH-CAR regional director, said Abra DEO bested the nine other DEOs in the region in last year’s search for best RROW project.
Abra submitted as its entry its RROW project at the Nagbalitangan section along the Abra-Cervantes Road.
Apayao 2nd DEO has maintained its second place and the best entry for the district is their 6th entry at the Muslim Section 2 along Claveria-Calanasan Road.
Furthermore, the Ifugao 2nd DEO took the third place with the best entry along the Banaue-Hungduan Road.
During the initial staging of the search for the best RROW project in 2013, Abra DEO, Apayao DEO and Mountain Province DEO garnered the first, second and third places, respectively.
Carabbacan assured the program will be done annually in order to contribute in all-out efforts of the agency and concerned local governments to clear the RRO) from encroachments, freeing the area from illegal settlers and obstructions.
According to him, the “pocket gardens” will provide weary travellers a rest area, serving as a stop-over from long trips.
The RROW Monitoring Team, was headed by then Assistant Regional Director Nerie D. Bueno . The monitoring team guided by the criteria set, made quarterly visits to the RROW entries of each DEO which yielded ratings and additional points for innovations/improvements for each particular quarter.
Although the other DEOs are deserving of commendation since all entries showcased their creativity and use of indigenous materials, Abra DEO had an edge over them having started earlier than the other DEOs. They took advantage of the good weather and the use of materials endemic in the area. Driftwood and stones from the forest and the river were brought up to the entry sites. The best entry was set beside a river where the gazebo was built. Fishing can be done on a raft built below the gazebo.
The 6th Entry of Apayao 2nd DEO at Muslim Section along Claveria-Calanasan Road adjudged as the Best Entry of the DEO was set at a mountain side sprawling beside a water fall. A refreshing setting.
The 4th Entry of Ifugao 2nd DEO along Banaue-Hungduam Road adjudged as the Best Entry of the DEO was set strategically linked by a bridge over a flowing river. Barks of ferns were carved as arches, birds and were used as steps leading to the gazebo.
All entries of the DEOs have distinctive uniqueness and were praised and hailed by motorists.
Carabbacan is optimistic that this year’s competition will likely be much exciting than last year’s because each district office will surely thrive for the best by involving the participation of more stakeholders in order to produce a holistic RROW project in their respective areas of jurisdiction. By Dexter A. See
