‘Nagado ti kalsada nga dapat maiayos… isolated diay daduma nga areas’: Gov. Diclas prioritizes roads, cut-off communities after Benguet Calamity Declaration

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Repairing damaged roads, particularly those that have isolated communities, will be among the priorities of the Benguet provincial government following the declaration of a state of calamity in the province.

During its 52nd regular session held in Tublay on August 24, the 12th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet approved the declaration upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The declaration came after weeks of heavy rains and landslides caused more than ₱1 billion in initial damage across the province.

Roads and bridges accounted for the largest share of the reported damage at ₱708.7 million, making the restoration of transportation routes a major concern for the provincial government.

The agricultural sector also suffered significant losses, with livestock, poultry, fisheries, and farm structures sustaining an estimated ₱318.6 million in damage and affecting 6,362 farmers.

‘Nagado ti kalsada nga dapat maiayos’

In an interview, Governor Melchor Diclas said the provincial government must prioritize roads that have left communities isolated or forced residents to use potentially dangerous alternate routes.

Diclas cited several areas that were reportedly isolated because of damaged roads. While residents have been using alternate routes, he said some are unsafe.

“Isolated diay daduma nga areas, isu nga masapol nga agdeclare. Maysa nga kalsada idiay Tabaan Sur idiay Tuba is isolated diay maysa nga area idiay. Alternate route langen ti ususaren da medyo delikado pay sunga kailangan nga isu ti maiyaramid. Daytoy Kapangan, diay part ti junction ti nagado nga barangay… isu didjay ti maysa nga makaikabilan na diay pondo ta dakkel ti kailangan,” Diclas said.

He explained that repairing the damaged roads is necessary because residents should not have to depend on risky alternate routes to travel in and out of their communities.

“So, hopefully ket maiayos tayo dagijay ta didjay ti maysa nga importante ta adu ti magmagna nga tao. Tano maisara didjay, awan, agsuffer unay ti tao,” he added.

‘Provincial funds not enough’

Diclas said some of the damaged routes are provincial roads, making them potential candidates for rehabilitation by the provincial government.

However, he acknowledged that the province does not have sufficient funds to address all the damage, particularly projects requiring substantial financing.

“Diay daduma puro provincial road dagitoy, isu ti daduma nga pakaibilan na. Bassit lang met diay pondo idiay, so kailangan latta nga agpatulong ti national government,” he said.

The governor expressed hope that repairs could begin soon, emphasizing that restoring road access is critical for communities affected by prolonged rains and landslides.

Calamity declaration unlocks disaster funds

Following the declaration, Vice Governor Mary Rose Fongwan-Kepes said available funds, including the province’s ₱38-million Quick Response Fund (QRF), can now be utilized to address the immediate needs of affected communities.

The declaration allows the provincial government to access and utilize its disaster funds for relief, response, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts under Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Fongwan-Kepes also said the reopening and repair of roads, particularly those that have isolated communities, will be prioritized alongside assistance to the agricultural sector.

As of the latest report, Benguet had recorded ₱1.06 billion in initial damage, although the amount could still increase as rains continue.

For Diclas, however, the immediate concern is clear: roads must be reopened so isolated communities can once again move, trade, access services, and recover.