The collapsed section of the Baguio-Bontoc Road in Barangay Caliking, Atok, Benguet, undergoes repair works. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has instructed the DPWH-Cordillera to install early warning devices for the safety of motorists and commuters. (Screengrab from DPWH video)
After nearly a year of bottlenecks, safety concerns, and growing frustration from motorists, rehabilitation work has finally started on the collapsed section of the Baguio-Bontoc Road in Barangay Caliking, Atok, Benguet — a critical mountain highway that has remained partially crippled since powerful typhoons battered the area in 2025.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday confirmed the start of repair operations on the damaged road section, which has forced commuters and transport operators to endure a stop-and-go traffic scheme on a single accessible lane for months.
The affected stretch, a vital corridor connecting Baguio City and northern Cordillera communities, sustained major damage following successive typhoons that struck in July 2025. Since then, travelers have grappled with traffic congestion, prolonged travel times, and concerns over road safety along the mountainous route.
The prolonged disruption has drawn attention to the vulnerability of major transport infrastructure in disaster-prone areas, with motorists repeatedly raising concerns over delays and risks faced by daily commuters navigating the compromised roadway.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has directed the DPWH-Cordillera Regional Office to prioritize safety measures during rehabilitation, including the installation of early warning systems and protective devices aimed at reducing risks to motorists and commuters passing through the construction zone.
The directive follows earlier instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track rehabilitation efforts to restore smoother and safer travel conditions in one of Northern Luzon’s key transportation arteries.
The Baguio-Bontoc Road serves as one of the primary gateways to Baguio City, long regarded as the country’s summer capital and a major tourism and economic hub in the Cordillera region. The route also supports the movement of goods and residents between highland provinces, making its prolonged partial closure particularly disruptive.
With rehabilitation now underway, residents and travelers are hoping the long-awaited repairs will finally ease months of congestion and restore reliable access through one of the region’s most heavily used mountain roads.