Controversial Baguio flyover now open to motorists

BAGUIO CITY – After several postponements, the controversial P172.2 million flyover at the Baguio General Hospital rotunda was finally opened to all types of vehicles Friday morning. Public Works Sec. Hermogenes E. Ebdane, who was present during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said the flyover is expected to ease traffic in the area and address the growing population and motorists of the city. Ebdane was accompanied by Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan, Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas, Undersecretary Ramon Aquino and DPWH-CAR Director Mariano Alquiza. Apart from easing traffic, Ebdane said the multimillion flyover will add to the natural attraction of Baguio City for its grand design of log finished guardrails and modular blocks. Baguio City is a popular destination of local and foreign tourists especially during the summer season. The 271-meter flyover was designed in 2002 to cost P88.4 million, with initial funding coming from a P43M savings from the Marcos Highway rehabilitation. Protesters had tried to stop the project because of environmental concerns such as tree-cutting, destruction of springs and water basins, and the threat of an earthquake. Domogan said the delays had bloated the project’s cost to P172 million. “We suffered the consequences of delays," Domogan said. Domogan said all the matured trees were not cut. - GMANews.TV