Build more barangay, farm-to-market roads Congressman-elect Fongwan vows

May 18, 2019 Headlines

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Newly elected Benguet congressman Nestor Fongwan vowed to build more barangay and farm-to- market roads to spur the economic growth of this upland province.
In a press interview after his proclamation on May 14, Fongwan told reporters that his direction is for the development of Benguet and to uplift the lives of his constituents.
Fongwan as a start said, “We have to start looking for funds, amending laws that are antiquated, passing new laws that will contribute to the development.”
“We really need funds to trigger the economy of Benguet,” Fongwan said, noting what congressman Ronald Cosalan did.
“He (Cosalan) brought money for good development,” Fongwan said. “But maybe for my term, I am thinking to shift from national roads to local roads. It’s high time that we should be improving our local roads, barangay, and farm-to-market roads,” he added.
He also vowed to support local farmers by stabilizing prices. Fongwan said that while prices of vegetables depend on the so-called law of supply and demand, he will try to introduce crop production programming.
“We did that when I was the governor, to avoid over-supply of vegetable commodities.” On the issue of small-scale mining, Fongwan also plans to introduce amendments to Republic Act 7076 or the People’s Small Scale-Mining Law.
“You know the power of the central government here. Anytime, they could stop mining operations. Masyadong malakas,” Fongwan said. Fongwan also expressed optimism that more small–scale mining contracts will be awarded in areas declared as Minahang Bayan t21(MB).
However, Fongwan lamented the stringent requirements in acquiring small–scale mining contracts.
“It’s so difficult to secure the requirements of a minahang bayan. Look, once it is declared as minahang bayan ,you have to secure the consent , and who are those to give consent, those who own mineral patented claims,” Fongwan said.
“Do you think Benguet Corporation will give that, do you think that those big mining companies will give their consent? I doubt it,” Fongwan added. He said, “What we can do is to amend the law and devolve some powers to the local government or to the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) or if not let us push for autonomy so that we will be the one to control our natural resources.”
“I am for autonomy. I am very much interested. We have nothing to lose but we have everything to gain,” he added.
In another development, Fongwan said that he will work on the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon- Tuba –Tublay or BLISTT.
He said that it was he (Fongwan) who pushed for the inclusion of Tublay, saying, “Because Tublay must be part of development.”
Fongwan also said, “Tublay is the poorest municipality in the entire province of Benguet, a fifth class town, and we need Tublay to trigger also commerce, trade and industry in their municipality and to the entire province.”

Primo Agatep/ABN