The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Benguet 1st District Engineering Office conducted a public consultation on various national infrastructure projects in the Municipality of Itogon at the Municipal Hall.
The consultation was led by Engr. Edison Ambales, OIC–Chief of the Planning and Design Section, and was attended by Mayor Bernard S. Waclin, LGU Officials, and Punong Barangays.
Engr. Ambales said the consultation aimed to promote transparency, assess the implementability of proposed projects, and gather comments and recommendations from local leaders within the affected jurisdictions. He clarified that the projects presented by DPWH cover only national roads and nationally funded facilities.
Under the DPWH 2026 Regular Infrastructure Program, as provided in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the proposed projects include the reconstruction to concrete pavement of the Benguet–Nueva Vizcaya Road in Barangay Loacan; construction of a road slope protection structure along the Baguio–Itogon Road in Poblacion; construction of missing links or new roads along the Itogon–San Nicolas Road in Barangay Dalupirip; improvement of the Anovang–Domolpos Road in Barangay Tinongdan; completion of a multi-purpose building at Tocmo Integrated School in Loacan; construction of a municipal multi-purpose building; and construction of a gymnasium in Barangay Virac.
Ambales further explained that several projects programmed for Fiscal Year 2025 have yet to be implemented, as these were tagged for conditional implementation and are still awaiting the release of funds.
During the discussion, Itogon Punong Barangays and local officials raised various concerns, including the repair of damaged cross drainages along the Tuding–Ucab section and the prioritization of missing links and new road construction. Engr. Ambales assured the officials that their concerns and requests would be considered.
DPWH also presented its proposed infrastructure projects for 2027, which include the construction of a road slope protection structure along Goldfield, Poblacion.
Mayor Waclin commended the DPWH Benguet 1st District Engineering Office for conducting the consultation, noting that such engagements help local officials stay informed about ongoing and planned infrastructure projects in the municipality.
