RESIDENTS, SCHOOL CHILDREN IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN TUBA, BENGUET ASK HELP

August 13, 2022 Community Billboard

Residents and school children in remote villages of Balococ and Goldstream in Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet, are appealing to the government for better access roads. Barely a week, more than 100 individuals in the said villages will be attending face to face classes, notably elementary pupils who will trek anew an almost three-kilometer
rugged, mountainous stretch to reach their school in Camp 4. School children in Sitios Balococ and Goldstream are
reportedly excited to continue their journey-education after two long years of home study following health protocols
brought by Covid-19 pandemic.

Transport infrastructure are the wealth of a community as well as to the whole nation, a tool for social inclusion,
economic development and environmental sustainability. “The condition of our roads need improvement and
we are appealing to the government for help-sustain its support, like every one, roads are lifeline to progress,” Angie
Sugalan said in the vernacular, herself a mother, and the president of Sugalan Clan small-scale mining group.
The onset of rainy season which may cause landslides will be an added burden , especially our children who goes to
school, and the people who seek daily food provisions, report for work, and medical needs.

At times, people in our community including local pocket miners, women group share time in fixing damaged sections of the roads for easy mobility said Angie , adding, to date a long section of the zigzagging rugged road
measures -enough for a motorcycle to pass that include two foot bridges. Angie confided, previous years the community were able to solicit funds for the improvement of some sections of the road.

David Tomilas, president of Goldstream Small-Scale mining association also appealed for government support such for the road widening. Zandy Amin, former Barangay Kagawa of Camp 4,currently the treasurer of Goldstream SSM, Sitios Bacolod and Goldstream, have been receiving assistance from the government of Tuba, and Provincial Government of Benguet in terms of road improvements. Some 50 motorbikes operated privately are the only
means of transport by the local residents, and school children, with fare ranges P50 to P100 per person, students, and senior citizens are provided with discounts.

Asmin added in recent months, through the barangay officials (Camp 4), the Municipal Government of Tuba infused
P500k for the construction of flood control in Sitio Goldstream, and additional P2million from the Benguet Province through Gov.Melchor Diclas for said flood control facility. The said amount P2M is due for implementation added
Asmin.

Primo Agatep/ABN