DPWH opens new route to Baguio

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday invited travelers planning a roadtrip to Baguio City to try the newly-opened Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road.

The DPWH said that the new road would allow travelers to skip the heavy traffic along Marcos Highway and the Kennon Road — both of which were still being repaired.

According to a report on GMA 7 news program "24 Oras", there were hardly any cars on the spacious new roadway, which was equipped with waiting sheds and traffic signs.

However, the road was still manned by safety personnel as there were not enough of the solar-powered street lamps to illuminate the entire stretch.

"May mga part na walang kuryente kaya kami nautusan ng office namin, Benguet First, na 24 hours kami sa mga areas ng Asin-Nangisan road. Bantay-alalay sa mga naglalakbay," Edmond Reyes, the DPWH Benguet Engineering District's maintenance point person, explained.

Authorities also advised motorists to drive carefully along the road's winding curves and steep climbs. 

Driving on the road, it took an hour to reach Baguio City from Tubao, La Union, which was considerably a longer trip compared to taking the Kennon Road.

The traffic flow in Baguio City, which was already heavy on Friday, is only expected to worsen as nearly a million people were expected to come for Baguio's winter-like climate during the Christmas season.

According to Police Superintendent Armando Gapuz  of the Baguio City police: "May mga aakyat, may mga bumababa kaya naitatala minsan aabot ng mga 800,000, ganu'n. Mga bisita lang 'yon, hindi residente." — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News