Friends, let’s not be too snotty thinking that wisdom does not spring forth from the mouth of artistas. Here’s the words of wisdom from artista/Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. during the recently held Lang-ay Festival where he was the guest speaker: “Lang-ay means oneness. Let us also practice this spirit not only during the festival.”

Oo nga naman. Oneness. Who would go against that, ano?

Bontoc folk urged to value Mt. Province road rehab
Bernadette E. Tamayo/Tempo
SEN. Ramon Revilla, Jr. has called on the people of Mountain Province to show appreciation of the rehabilitation of the multi-billion peso Halsema Highway by actively helping in its maintenance.

Revilla made the appeal during the commemoration of the Lang-ay Festival, the annual cultural event commemorating the charter of the province.

He said the concreting of the 85-kilometer highway will shorten travel time from Baguio City to Bontoc from six hours and 30 minutes to three hours and from Bontoc to Tuguegarao, from five hours and 30 minutes to three hours.

“This will benefit the people of Mountain Province in terms of delivery of goods and tourism,” Revilla said.

The second phase of the Halsema Highway, the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao section, is set to be completed next year. The first phase, the Mt. Data-Bontoc-Banaue section, is already finished.

“While the said highway is being reconstructed through the use of high standard materials, proper maintenance would guarantee that it will last long and will be worth the billions of pesos spent on it,” he added.

Revilla said the overloading of trucks should be strictly prohibited to protect the stability of the road.

“Even how developed it is, the strength of a road should not be measured beyond its limits. Too much cargo may bring more profit but in the long run, we will all suffer when the road gives in,” he said.

“Lang-ay means oneness. Let us also practice this spirit not only during the festival,” he said.