SAN NICOLAS, Pangasinan (PIA) – Faster, shorter and cheaper transport system will soon be accessible to the public travelling to and from Region 1 and Cordillera after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) breaks ground for the construction of the San Manuel (Pangasinan)-Itogon (Benguet) Road on March 4.

Senator Imee Marcos, who led the ceremonial groundbreaking activity in this town, said the construction linking Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is a dream project of late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos that aims to enhance trading and business activities from Region 1 and CAR, as well as Region 2.

“Pangarap ng tatang ko na maikabit ang Region 1, 2 and CAR para makinabang din ang mga bulubundukin ng Pangasinan, Benguet at Baguio, para ang turismo ay umusbong din dito sa ating mga bundok,” Marcos said.

DPWH-I Regional Director Ronnel M. Tan, said the  construction of the San Manuel Itogon Road is an inter-linking Regional Project connecting the towns of San Manuel, Asingan, Tayug and San Nicolas in the province of Pangasinan; Cayapa, Nueva Vizcaya and Itogon, Benguet.

“The project is expected to enhance the future economic activities system between Ilocos Provinces and Benguet Province as well the whole of Regions 1 and CAR by providing a shorter, faster and cheaper transport,” Tan said.

Further, Tan said the  project, with an approximate length of 46.5 kilometers (Region I, Region II and CAR), has an estimated total cost amounting to P1.915 billion.

He added that the project comprises road opening and concreting of two-lane PCCP including drainage, slope protection works and road safety facilities, construction of two 360 and 350 lineal meter bridges and acquisition of road right-of-way.

In Region 1, the project starts at Barangay Guiset Norte, San Manuel and ends at Brgy. Fianza, San Nicolas with an estimated length of 37.736km with a carriageway width of 6.7m and thickness of 0.28m.  (JCR/MJTAB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)