Miners blast rocks to open Mt Data Cliff section of Baguio- Bontoc Road

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- The Baguio-Bontoc Road particularly the Mount Data Cliff in Bauko, Mountain Province was opened to traffic on Thursday (August 11) after the successful clearing operations led by a team from the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC).

A team of miners, geologists and explosive operatives from LCMC successfully cleared the giant boulders along the Mount Data Cliff on August 9, two weeks after the magnitude 7 earthquake that jostled parts of Northern Luzon last July 27.They started their operations on August 3 using their expertise in controlled blasting to break into pieces the boulders that blocked the national road caused by the temblor.

The Lepanto team is composed of Team Leader Engr. Hilbert Andong with Foreman Allan Lalwet, Safety Inspector Benjamin Asidera, Leadman Juanito Jacob Jr, Miners Mark Nover Laigo and Jayson Suni. They were also augmented with lady Mining Engineer Keziah Chamollog and Geologist Evette Badua.

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The LCMC Team with the DPWH-CAR personnel

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LCMC President Bryan Yap fully supported the team in proving assistance to road clearing operations even outside Benguet even taking time to see for himself the blasting and clearing operations and checked on the condition of the mine personnel. He was joined by Vice President for Human Resources Knestor Godino.

The miners based in the town of Mankayan, Benguet earlier cleared the boulders that fell along the Suyo-Cervantes along the Bessang Pass Route in Ilocos Sur that were also triggered by the earthquake which epicenter was in the neighboring province of Abra.

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The LCMC team in the Mt Data clearing operations was also supported by personnel and equipment from the various government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways - Cordillera and the DPWH-Mountain Province, Police Regional Office – Cordillera and the Bauko Municipal Police Station, the local government units of Mountain Province thru Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan and Bauko thru Mayor Randy Awisan with the office of Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr, private contractors and other volunteers and stakeholders including the members of the community.

Lacwasan expressed gratitude and appreciation to the team for clearing the main road to and from the province.

“Dake-dake ay iyaman mi ken dakayo! On behalf of the Provincial Government and of the people of Mountain Province, I extend our wholehearted gratitude to all who took part in the blasting and road clearing operations. We give thanks to God and give back to Him all the glory for His guidance and for clothing us with His protection, especially in keeping all those who have been working 24/7 to unclog the Mt. Data Cliff and all other road sections from massive to smaller obstructions,” Lacwasan said.

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He also appealed to the people of Mountain Province “to continue exhibiting the cooperation and unity that we have shown in this latest calamity which affected our people. Our “Og-ogbu” is beyond measure,” he added.

Dalog also expressed his gratitude and stressed that “indeed the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company Cares.”

“The people of Mountain Province are very grateful to the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation for its dedication and service. We thank you LCMC led by its President Bryan Yap and the rest of the team,” Dalog said.

The DPWH-CAR announced that the Mount Data Cliff Section of the Baguio-Bontoc Road was opened to motorists at around 11AM on Thursday, August 11, 2022 one lane passable but motorists are advised to pass with extreme caution.

The DPWH-CAR is also recommending alternate routes from Baguio City to Mountain Province which include the Abatan – Buguias – Mankayan – Cervantes – Tadian – Bauko – Bontoc Route which is open to all types of vehicles and the Sadsadan – Salin – Balicanao Farm to Market Road which is open to light vehicles only.(JDP/ RMC- PIA CAR) (photos from LCMC and DPWH-CAR)

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