President Gloria Arroyo inspected the near completion of phase 2 of the Halsema Highway from Mt. Data to Bontoc, Mountain Province Monday morning with high hopes the whole stretch of the highway will be completed during her term.

Escorted by ranking government officials like Mountain Province Gov. Maximo Dalog Sr., Arroyo said the highway is a significant project as it will bring socio-economic development in the northern highlands. 

The government has allotted almost P1.094 billion for the rehabilitation of the phase 2 of Halsema Highway which spans to 50.4 kilometers. 

The Halsema Highway, which spans to 180 kilometers from the city limit in La Trinidad, Benguet to Bontoc and to Banaue, Ifugao is one of the priority projects of the Arroyo administration. 

It is also one of the main roads with special focus from Malacañang in line with the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle. “Aside from its economic benefits, the highway, the President said, will also reduce travel time between Baguio and Bontoc from seven hours to just four-and-a-half hours. 

The President said that completion of phase 3 of the Halsema Highway, which starts from Bontoc to Banaue, is expected to be completed the soonest possible time. 

Dalog said that the road-right-of-way issue which delays the implementation of the phase 3 particularly on the Bontoc side is closely given attention by the agency concerned.

“We just hope that the whole stretch of the Halsema Highway will be completed within the semester (first six months) of the year,” the governor said. 

Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, for his part, said that efforts are being undertaken to finish phase 3 with continued support from the national government. 

The highway, once fully rehabilitated, will also enhance the tourism industry in Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and nearby towns in Ilocos Sur.