Opening of Zambales, Pangasinan shortcut route to improve economies of both provinces

MANILA, Philippines - What was once an impassable route to shorten the distance traveled from Sta. Cruz in Zambales to Mangatarem in Pangasinan was made possible with the opening this month of a 54-kilometer off road trail that cuts through the mountains of the two provinces.

The soft launch was held on Aug. 6 that saw the group of Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane and the Pangasinan team, led by second district Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, navigate the route on board their Land Cruisers, Rovers and pick-up trucks.

Other motoring teams such as the Angeles City 4-Wheel Drive Club, headed by its president Edison “Tonton” Dungca. The Bulacan RSM Motocross Racing Team, headed by “Enduro King” Jimboy Marcelo, as well as offroad vehicles from the Valenzuela Racing Club, also joined the historic trip dubbed as the “Sta. Cruz-Mangatarem Road Expedition.”

Except for the bulldozers that blazed the trail since 2009, and the few pickup trucks used by road surveyors and engineers, the event was the first time that vehicles would navigate the length of the road that was built to connect North Zambales to Eastern Pangasinan.

“The opening of the road will improve the economic condition of both provinces since their products will easily reach the markets,” Ebdane said. 

Though raining on the day which made the route slippery and muddy, the sturdier off road vehicles were equipped with winches, and these came in handy to pull out some of the stalled trucks. It was the riders on their bikes who negotiated the route easily. The bikers completed the expedition in just less than six hours, a good two hours ahead of most of the 4x4 crews.

However, the ride was very enjoyable because it afforded everybody a great view of the mountains and surrounding countryside.

“The expedition was a challenge for us,” Ebdane said, “but it was also an event that gave us many lessons.”

“As in every undertaking, everybody should work as a team to finish the task. This was one task that we completed to everyone’s satisfaction,” he added.

Ebdane said that aside from promoting adventure tourism in Zambales, the expedition also heralded the start of a new era in the development of Northern Zambales and its interaction with nearby communities.

He recalled that the road project was started in 2009 under his term as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The road, which is expected to provide access to remote areas in both Zambales and Pangasinan, will be a catalyst for change and progress, Ebdane added.

Travellers to the two provinces have to negotiate the usual road for almost four hours, but with the opening of the Sta. Cruz-Mangatarem route travel is cut by almost three hours.

Ebdane said the trip will be quicker once the off road is asphalted, which he is feverishly coordinating with concerned government agencies for its completion.