Baguio is the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

After partially solving the isolation problem in Baguio City in the wake of typhoon “Pepeng” (Parma), the (DPWH) Department of Public Works and Highways  is targeting a full repair of the major roads leading there in one month.

DPWH Undersecretary Romeo Momo said in a radio interview Wednesday that they hope to reopen second lanes in Kennon and Naguilian Roads and Marcos Highway within this week. Which are the major roads to Baguio.

“Siguro mga isang buwan ang ating bilangin. Target nating two lanes and mabuksan within a week’s time (We are looking at a month’s time to normalize the roads. Our target now is to open second lanes within this week),” Momo said in an interview on dzXL radio, when asked when the roads can be restored.

He did not give further details, but noted that the three main roads were only partially reopened, and with only one lane open at some sections. Hopefully the said roads be open as soon as possible. DPWH workers had been laboring 24 hours a day to reopen the said roads, which were eroded and damaged due to landslides triggered by rains brought by Pepeng last weekend.

With the roads closed last weekend, prices of basic goods shot up as food and fuel supplies ran low. It has been hard for the delivery truck to go to Baguio due to close roads. The DPWH partially reopened Kennon Road “one of the main road to Baguio” but imposed a schedule on the flow of vehicles, and limited its use to light vehicles.

It partially reopened Naguilian Road before dawn Tuesday, but noted Naguilian is sturdy enough to accommodate trucks, including those bringing much-needed supplies to Baguio City. Classes in Baguio will resume on Monday.