TAGBILARAN CITY — The provincial government of Bohol has committed P3.6 million for the repair and rehabilitation of a damaged section of the access road leading to the Chocolate Hills view deck in Carmen town.
A screenshot from Google Maps shows a section of the access road to the Chocolate Hills view deck in Carmen, Bohol. The provincial government of Bohol and the local government of Carmen have pooled resources to repair the road, which was damaged by heavy rains from four typhoons over the past two months. (PIA Bohol/Google Maps)
The amount forms part of the P6.3 million total project cost. The local government unit of Carmen has allocated P3 million for the project, which is expected to be completed within 81 calendar days.
Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte said the provincial government committed its share to complete the required funding.
“Since we learned that the LGU of Carmen allocated P3 million for the repair, the provincial government committed P3.6 million to complete the funding requirement for the rehabilitation,” Caberte said.
The damage was caused by prolonged rains brought by three consecutive typhoons—Tino, Uwan, and Verbena—which further deteriorated the decades-old paved road.
The road was built at a time when traffic volume was significantly lower, before the Chocolate Hills became a major global tourism destination.
The affected section lacks adequate drainage and wall protection, allowing rainwater to spill onto the pavement and create cascading runoff.
With no pedestrian walkway, tourists are often forced to walk close to walls or hold onto barriers to avoid passing vehicles.
To address safety and comfort concerns, the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) proposed the standard repair of a 139.45-meter road section.
The project covers a nine-meter-wide paved road and includes the installation of curbs and gutters, lined canals, and stone masonry backwall slope protection.
Provincial Engineer Jon Sergio Caberte said traffic management measures are also included in the project budget.
“During the roadworks, traffic will be managed through alternating single-lane access,” he said.
He added that the rehabilitated section will feature reinforced Portland cement concrete pavement with a thickness of 0.23 meters and a minimum curing period of 14 days.
Additional components include pipe culverts, lined canals, grouted riprap, stone masonry, concrete curbs and gutters, and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markers.
With the ongoing roadworks, tourism authorities have advised the local government unit of Carmen to implement its special shuttle service to transport tourists between the drop-off point, communal parking area, and the view deck to help ease traffic congestion. (PIA)
