By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Norte 2nd Engineering District allocated PHP44 million to relocate electric posts along the Manila North Road (MNR).
DPWH-INED2 information officer-designate Chona dela Cruz said this will happen after the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the DPWH and the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).
Earlier, DPWH and INEC personnel conducted a joint inspection of the MNR to determine which posts are affected. The project is part of road-widening plans along the MNR/
The joint team later determined that 358 posts are affected on the MNR spanning San Nicolas to Badoc.
For its part, INEC officials said they are only waiting for the National Electrification Administration’s authorization for the MOA signing.
Ms. Dela Cruz said the proposed agreement states that the relocation project should conclude within six months after its start.
She added that a phase II relocation project is also in the works. This will be for the Dingras to Nueva Era national road.
She also said that aside from relocating posts, they are also awaiting the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) approval to cut trees along the MNR/
“Isu a makita tayo a napintaan paylaeng iti yellow dagitoy dadakkel a kaykayo along MNR tapnu maikkan ti warning kadagitimotorists tayo habang nga ur-urayen tayo iti pannaka cut da,” Ms. Dela Cruz explained.
Meanwhile, the DPWH Ilocos Norte 2nd engineering district continues to maintain and monitor their part of the MNR this summer.
Ms. Dela Cruz said they have deployed DPWH maintenance crews for this purpose.
She added that DPWH will also put up assistance centers along the MNR from Badoc to San Nicolas.