By Liza T. Agoot
TUBA, Benguet – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Saturday said the agency is committed to complete projects as scheduled amid the change in leadership.
“Ang utos po ng Pangulo kay Secretary Vince (Dizon) ay kailangang ipagpatuloy kasi ‘yung commitment na iyon ay hindi lamang sa Pangulo, hindi lamang commitment kay Sec. Vince kundi higit sa lahat, commitment sa taong bayan (The order of the President [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] to Secretary Vince needs to be continued because the commitment is not just for the President, not just a commitment for Sec. Vince, but more importantly, it is a commitment to the Filipino people),” Lopez said in a media interview on the sidelines of the inspection of a completed road slip repair project in Taloy Sur here.
He stressed that the change in leadership should not affect the agency’s commitment to the people to have safe and accessible roads.
“There is no change in the leadership and positioning of personnel in the regional and district offices nationwide. That means they have to ensure that their commitment to complete all projects is on time,” Lopez said.
For the road slip repair, he said the DPWH had five months to complete the PHP15.04-million project.
The major thoroughfare for travelers to and from Baguio City and the main access road of buses and truckers was damaged by Typhoon Nando in September 2025. The road’s condition was aggravated by Typhoon Uwan two months later.
With the DPWH commitment to President Marcos that the road will be accessible to two-way traffic in time for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, it was opened to the public 6 p.m. Friday
In an interview, Ronald Dioso, a part-time taxi driver, said the opening of the road means they can now accommodate passengers who ask to be transported to Tuba, about 20 kilometers from the city’s central business district.
“For drivers, safe road means safe and smooth travel,” he said in Filipino.
He added that good and safe roads also mean that travels are not delayed and more passengers can be accommodated. (PNA)
