BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  — The Baguio City District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-BCDEO) here defended Sundaythe implementation of two repair projects on the Loakan Road amounting to more than P44 million.

DPWH-BCDEO District Engineer Ireneo S. Gallato said that even if residents living in several barangays located on the roadline are irked by the traffic congestion caused by the repairs, the prevailing bad weather condition was chiefly to blame for a slight delay in the work.

During a coordination meeting held at the city mayor’s office last Friday, Gallatao said motorists and residents affected by the multi-million projects are now required to take Kennon Road via Camp 7 to reach their respective points of destination while the contactor will work 24-7 on the prescribed works.

Aside from this route, motorists from the affected barangays are also given the option to use the completed circumferential road, particularly the Kadaclan to Happy Hallow and Kennon road to Kadaclan, as alternate routes so that the contractor will be able to work on the closed section of the Loakan road from the new Camp John Hay (CJH) gate to Scout Barrio without being disturbed.

Vice Mayor Daniel T. Farinas said it is high time that local residents and visitors must be aware of the existence of the circumferential road in the city which serves as an alternate route when major roads are closed to vehicular traffic to pave the way for repair and improvement works.