Build or Reroute?: Widening along Magsaysay Prov’l Road in Tabuk City faces delay over trees

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The improvement and upgrading of the Bulanao–Laya–Balong–Kinama Provincial Road are currently facing adjustments after trees along the stretch in front of Tabuk Institute (TI) in Barangay Magsaysay were found to directly affect the planned road widening.

The concern surfaced during the Kapehan meeting of the Provincial Government of Kalinga on Monday, May 4, following a communication from the Office of the City Mayor of Tabuk seeking clearance for the proposed cutting of trees along the affected portion of the road from Magsaysay to Dagupan Centro.

The letter also called for a careful review of the project design, encouraging concerned offices to explore alternatives that would allow the preservation of the trees in the area.

It further raised the possibility of revisiting the road alignment and adopting a coordinated “streetscaping” approach between the city and the province, integrating environmental considerations into the project.

“...That the Provincial Engineering Office is required to revise the project design of the road improvement in order to save the existing trees planted in the area. That the revised project design shall adopt the Streetscaping Plan of the City of Tabuk so as to come up with a collaborative plan between LGU-Tabuk City and LGU-Kalinga Province. Lastly, this joint streetscaping plan will provide parks and green spaces that will enhance air quality, promote biodiversity, and offer recreational areas with aesthetic value for the community,” the letter stated.

During the meeting, Engr. Anna Andrada Bilowan of the Office of the Provincial Engineering Office (OPE) explained that the area near TI is a critical section where the road remains uneven, with one side already widened while the other side remains incomplete due to the issue.

Bilowan said around 25 trees are affected and suggested the possibility of relocating them through earth balling instead of cutting. However, she emphasized the need to complete the intended road alignment, noting that the sudden narrowing of the road poses a risk to motorists.

For this reason, she recommended further technical consultations among concerned offices to determine whether redesigning the project or proceeding with tree cutting would be the more viable option.

The OPE official also stressed that completing the road based on the original design is necessary to ensure continuity of the four-lane configuration and safer traffic flow.

“Nu agapo ka Dagupan, agawid ka Bulanao, kasla bigla umagaw ti kalsada, haan da ammo ti pagturturungan da (motorists), delikado, kasi bigla nga linmipit diay dalan, agi-inagaw dan ton ti linya,” Bilowan said.

“So didjay along Magsaysay, sango TI, ket isu didjay ti nakita mi nga adda 25 nga kayo idiay nga portion. Didjay’s suggestion for ITI City is that nu mabalin nga haan tayo i-ECC daytoy ta ti kunada ipagna tayo kanu iti ig-igig, so I think it’s not possible. Itoy nga part nga kanya ni Sir Luyaben, daytoy ti matamaan ti alignment ti canal. The daytoy portion is only 91 meters. I recommend nga ipakaawat tayo tapno maala tayo diay talaga nga design ti kalsada,” she added.

Responding to the issue, Governor James S. Edduba underscored the need to assess the actual site conditions and proceed with appropriate permitting rather than forcing a redesign that may not be viable.

The governor noted that while environmental concerns must be considered, the functionality and safety of the road should remain a priority.

“Kitaen yo man, pakivisit yo… ta kitan yo ti pagsayaatan na. We can recommend nga uray maysa tree nga macut ket 500 ti sukat na if diverting it will cause more problems or more accidents,” Edduba said.

Following the governor’s directive, officials from the OPE and the Tabuk City CENRO conducted an on-site inspection later that day to further address the construction concerns.

As of this writing, no final decision has been made, with both parties continuing coordination to resolve the issue.