RPMC-CAR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS COLLABORATE TO FAST TRACK THE BLISST OUTER RING CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD IMPLEMENTATION

October 22, 2022 Community Billboard

The RPMC-CAR, led by Chairperson and Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling, together with the BLISTT Mayors and representatives, conducted a project inspection with problem solving session (PSS) on 7 road sections on a stretch of about 85 kilometers of the BLISTT Outer Circumferential Road on October 11 and 12, 2022. The activity aimed to resolve project implementation concerns surfaced during a recent BLISTT meeting.

The RPMC inspectorate team, comprised of the NEDA, DBM, DILG, PMS, DENR, and PIA, was accompanied by the Local Project Monitoring Committee of Benguet, Municipal Engineers of Itogon, Sablan and Tuba and the DPWH Project and Field Engineers. As of 31 August 2022, 37.176 kilometers
of the 85.229-kilometer road project has been completed. The project inspectorate team validated the status of completion of 7 road sections namely: Section 1 – Asin Nangalisan Jct. – Bayabas – Monglo Jct. (Tuba to Sablan); Section 2 – Kamog Jct. – Calot Pappa – Bagong – Balluay – Tuel Jct. (Sablan to
Tublay); Section 3 – Tuel Jct. – Ambongdolan Jct. (Tublay); Section 4 – Labey – Lacamen Provincial Road (Bokod to Tublay); Section 5 – Guisset – Binga – Baloy – Tinongdan (Itogon); Section 6 – Poblacion Jct. – Batuang – Carantes Jct. – Balatoc Jct. (Itogon to Baguio City); and, Section 7 – Taloy Norte Jct. – San
Pascual Brgy. Hall Jct. (Tuba).

Among the issues observed during the inspection were road hazards caused by soil debris covering the roads, absence of drainage structures, road right of way (RROW), road obstruction (electric posts),
road cuts in critical sections, and noncompliance to road grade standards i.e. slope steep/inclination.
During the problem solving session and exit conference on 12 October 2022, the stakeholders were enlightened on reasons behind significant issues that hampered project implementation.

To resolve the challenges, the inspectorate team recommended to DPWH to install road hazard signage, comply with the implementation of road grade standards, clear roads from earth spoils, identify dumping sites for earth spoils and construct containment walls to prevent the soil from getting to water sources, and enjoin contractors to abide by local ordinances and secure necessary documentary requirements before the implementation of the projects.

The RPMC also encouraged DPWH to closely coordinate with the concerned BLISTT LGUs in the resolution of RROW issues and requested the LGUs’ assistance in maintaining the roads. The 85.229 kilometers BLISTT Outer Ring Circumferential Road network is a ± 9.18 Billion project that will interconnect Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay municipalities. This was an offshoot of a NEDACAR and DPWH-CAR project study in 2017.