BONTOC, Mountain Province - After spending over P3.3 billion for the rehabilitation of the 180-kilometer Baguio-Bontoc-Banaue Road, more popularly known as Halsema Highway, the national government has earmarked P5 million for the construction of three world-class toilets at strategic points of the road. The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and the provincial government here will jointly implement the construction of the modern toilets in order to boost the local tourism industry in this landlocked province. Two toilets will be constructed between Mount Data and Bontoc; and a third will be erected near a viewdeck between Bontoc and Banaue. The project also includes the putting up of appropriate signage pointing to selected tourist spots like the famed Banaue Rice Terraces in Barangay Maligcong, here. Earlier, commuters along the Halsema highway have complained on the absence of toilets along the stretch of the road thereby depriving the motorists to attend to the call of nature when they travel along the different tourist destinations. by Dexter A. See
