By Liezle Basa Iñigo
After six lives were already lost in different road accidents in the area, the Daang Kalikasan Road in Mangatarem, Pangasinan was ordered temporarily closed by the local police.
PHOTO VIA LIEZLE BASA INIGO/ MANILA BULLETIN
The road closure is expected to affect trips of motorists, but according to the Mangatarem Police, the huge number of vehicles traversing Daang Kalikasan has hampered the smooth and swift completion of road works.
Daang Kalikasan has gone viral on social media as it unveiled one of the most scenic seaside routes in the Luzon.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the scenic 14.6-kilometer
road linking Mangatarem, Pangasinan and Sta. Cruz, Zambales will be completed next year.
DPWH noted that three kilometers were still under construction out of the four-lane road which has a funding of P1.13 billion.
The agency also noted that Daang Kalikasan must be finished before the onset of the rainy season.
Due to the influx of motorists in the still unfinished highway, 10 accidents have occurred which led to six deaths.
The latest fatality was Nathaniel Fabros, 14, and a resident of Barangay Torres, Bugallon, Mangatarem, Pangasinan.