TUBA, Benguet – Concerned barangay officials and residents of Poblacion here requested the provincial government through the Provincial Engineering Office to work out the modification of the ongoing improvement of the Begis-Poyopoy provincial road to make the same convenient for them and the travelers going in and out of the communities located between Marcos highway and the Mount Sto. Tomas forest reservation.
On his letter dated November 17, 2021 to Gov. Melchor D. Diclas through Acting Provincial Engineer Jerry L. Bocanog, Poblacion punong barangay Oliver K. Paus stated that while residents and barangay officials are grateful to the provincial government for identifying the improvement of the Begis-Poyopoy provincial road as a priority in the allocation of funds, it is also important to consider the proposed modification of the plans and program of work of the project to include the widening of the stretch of the road to avail of the opportunity provided by the landowners who are willing to give a portion of their properties to achieve the proper width of the roadline.
From the current 6 meters width of the Begis-Poyopoy provincial road, the barangay is recommending that the same be increased to around 9 meters because some of the landowners whose properties will be affected if the roadline will be further widened are willing to give up portions of their properties to achieve the said purpose for the convenience of the people using the road in going to and from their community.
Paus stipulated that the provincial government must take advantage of the rare opportunity of landowners who are willing to sacrifice portions of their properties for the benefit of the people living in their neighborhood that is why the barangay council decided to make the aforesaid request for the modification of the project to improve the condition of the road and to lessen the current inconvenience being encountered by motorists in going to and from their community.
According to him, the barangay will be awaiting whatever action that will be undertaken by the provincial government to ensure better condition of roads that are being upgraded and improved through the available funds that will be provided for the same.
The barangay council already initiated preliminary talks with the concerned landowners in the area whose properties will be partly affected by the proposed further widening of the road and that they have voluntarily expressed their willingness to sacrifice portions of their properties for public use which is already a laudable gesture because they are not demanding for compensation in exchange for the property that will be taken for widening purposes.
Further, the residents are also suggesting that the junction of the said road from Marcos Highway be widened to lessen the circuitous route leading to their residences to ensure that people will be able to conveniently travel in and out of the community located between Marcos highway and the Mount Sto. Tomas reservation.
Under the pertinent provisions of the Local government code, local governments are mandated to allocate funds to improve the condition of local roads within their territories for the welfare of the greater majority of the populace. By HENT
