DPWH: Insurgency delays Villa Verde Trail’s completion

By August 14, 2017Headlines, News

BECAUSE of perceived continuing threat from New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area, work on the remaining portions of the Villa Verde Trail linking Pangasinan to Nueva Vizcaya has been temporarily suspended.

This was revealed by Emmanuel Diaz, director officer-in-charge of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office, saying workers of a construction firm completing the remaining six kilometers of the Villa Verde Trail fear for their lives from NPA rebels.

He said although there was no actual threat since the firefight that ensued last July 28, the construction workers there fear that there could still be a repeat of that encounter between elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 1 (RPSB) and the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels between Barangays Sta Maria and Malico, San Nicolas.

In that encounter, one RPSB 1 member, PO2 Aries Tamondong was killed and his comrade was wounded.

Diaz said the cessation of work is a temporary setback in the construction of that highway although Public Highways Secretary Mark Villar has given them until Christmas this year to complete the project.

He said the DPWH is still optimistic the project can be completed before the deadline set by Secretary Villar as he believes that the increased police and military visibility in the area will help restore peace and order in the area.

Still to be completed is the widening of a six-kilometer portion of the highway in Barangay Malico, San Nicolas, scene of that recent fierce firefight between RSPB1 elements and NPA rebels.

It is part of the 21-kilometer Pangasinan-side of the Villa Verde Trail whose construction started in 2013 and budgeted at more that P2 billion.

However, Diaz said all types of motor vehicles going to Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya can already pass through Vila Verde Trail.

Once the highway has been completely widened, travel time between Pangasinan to Nueva Vizcaya will be reduced by two hours.

It will also serve as an alternate route to Cagayan Valley in case the Dalton Pass in Sta. Fe is closed due to landslides. (Leonardo Micua)

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