LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Mayor Roderick Awingan has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to exclude the ongoing road construction project from Km. 5 to Km. 6 of this valley’s national road from the department’s order suspending all reblocking works nationwide.

Sec. Vincent Dizon of the DPWH issued the stoppage order on October 7, 2025 in view of the agency’s ongoing investigations on road projects.

Isagani Cayme, Benguet 1st District Engineer, wrote to the mayor’s office that the reblocking works in the municipality will be suspended effective Oct. 13, 2025.

Believing that stopping the project would do more harm than good, Awingan immediately wrote the DPWH on Oct. 14, 2025 not to include the municipality in the suspension order.

The project has now come to a halt in view of the DPWH order, causing further traffic jams daily.

Awingan said that the project has already commenced and it is now at its critical stage, adding that the project requires immediate completion to prevent further inconvenience to motorists and the riding public.

“Besides, Sec. Dizon’s order said that those works that have already been commenced should pursue completion at the earliest possible time,” he said.

Awingan appealed to the DPWH to reconsider the suspension order and allow the project to proceed, particularly on the excavated areas and broken portions to avoid deterioration, restore normal traffic flow, and ensure public safety.

The road forms part of the Baguio – Bontoc road network.

The project started in August and was calendared to be finished by May next year, although DPWH engineers and the contractor assured the local government that they would exert effort to complete the project earlier.

The DPWH has yet to reply as of today. (By DOC)