LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - Benguet Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan proposed the nationalization of seven provincial roads in the province in order to ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of convenient travel among motorists as well as the transport of agricultural crops from the farms to the vegetable trading post.
The existing provincial roads which must be classified as national secondary roads as contained in separate bills filed by Cosalan at the House of Representatives include the Sagpat-Masala-Madaymen-Nautbleng Road, Bad-ayan-Banga-Cayapas-Manhoyohoy Road, Soysoyan-Ballay-Tawangan-Tinek Road, Natubleng-Nabalicong-Pacso-Kabayan Road, Tawang-Ambiong-Baguio Road, Poblacion-Buyagan-Wangal Road, and the Baguio-Asin-La Union Road. In justifying the proposed nationalization of the said roads, Cosalan noted that land travel is the primary mode of residents, visitors, entrepreneurs and most especially the farmers, thus, the need for the government to ensure that good roads will be established for the convenient travel of the people. According to Cosalan, the province's agricultural produce, being the Salad Bowl of the Philippines, is transported to and from the farmlands and major markets through the Halsema Highway, the aorta of the Cordillera. Cosalan claimed as it is most often the case during inclement weather, damage to the Halsema Highway not only causes traffic and inconvenience to travelers, it likewise slows down economic activities of the province by rendering impassable the only major route that agricultural and commercial products taken from producers to consumers.
Earlier, the provincial government has identified the seven provincial roads as alternate routes to the Halsema Highway and other national roads and a solution to the problems caused by the closure of major roads in the different parts of the province. Cosalan asserted that the nationalization of the seven provincial roads will greatly benefit the people of Benguet, especially the hardworking farmers who ceaselessly toil to bring their produce to viable markets. Moreover, he added that commerce would continue to be productive even in the event that inclement weather and road damages render national roads closed since there will be available alternate roads that are also well-maintained by the national government for the benefit of improved accessibility to the countryside.
