THE scenic 54-km Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem town and the Daang Katutubo in Aguilar town were closed to public starting Feb. 17 to address several problems that arose due to sudden tourist influx in the areas.

The multi-agency emergency meeting presided by Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil decided to close the road to address issues brought by the influx of tourists in the area including mounting garbage problem, two forest fires by thrown lighted cigarette butts, 12 separate road accidents, hampered construction works, traffic congestion, among others.

Mayor Bataoil presides over the multi-agency emergency meeting.

Earlier, in a press conference Monday, Mangatarem chief of police Maj. Aurelio Manantan said 12 road mishaps involving motorcycle riders were recorded in Daang Kalikasan that already resulted in the deaths of seven including a 17-year-old teen from Dagupan who fell in the ravine with his bicycle.

Second District Rep. Jumel Espino had also recommended the temporary closure of Daang Kalikasan after consulting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local police and the Mangatarem town government.

Bataoil, chairman of the Provincial Advisory Council and brainchild of Daaang Kalikasan road project (Mangatarem – Sta. Cruz, Zambales) when he was still Second District congressman, said he envisioned that with the construction of the road network everyone seek to protect the environment in that area by planting trees and restore the lost forest.

Bataoil said it was the video uploaded in YouTube showing the beauty of Daang Kalikasan that earned about almost seven million views and created an excitement to see the place especially during weekends.

The surrounding terrain is a beautiful landscape of gentle hills, river and pockets of forests which Bataoil said can still be saved, conserved and expanded to preserve the last remaining species of the wildlife, flowers and fauna.

DPWH Ilocos regional office project engineer Willer Bince said the Daang Kalikasan is now 80 percent completed and they target to finish it before the onset of the rainy season, adding that Daang Katutubo is now 70 percent completed.

“And then, we will proceed with the 30-meter bridge and some five-kilometer road that will connect Mangatarem and Aguilar towns which we hope will be funded next year,” he said. (PhilStar Wire Service (ECV)/Jerick Pasiliao)

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