Motorists who frequently travel from Cagayan Valley to Manila and vice versa, we have some good news for you to look forward to.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are currently doing a preparatory survey of the Dalton Pass East Alternative Road - a proposed 23-kilometer thoroughfare that will decongest the existing Dalton Pass by providing an alternative road connecting Tayabo, San Jose, Nueva Ecija to Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya and vice versa.

The preparatory survey is being done to obtain information on the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the project, which will facilitate JICA's review of the proposed Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan financing and will serve as the basis or preparation for the upcoming Appraisal Mission.

People from the provinces of Region II will know that alternative routes are long overdue in this area. Dalton Pass is known as the gateway to the Cagayan Valley, as it has served as the primary route for travelers going to and from Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. However, whenever natural calamities occur, Dalton Pass faces frequent closures due to landslides which effectively isolate the provinces of Region II.

Once the Dalton Pass East Alternative Road materializes, it should address the isolation issues of Dalton Pass during typhoon seasons. Furthermore, the alternative route should decongest traffic flow in the area and improve the transport of vital goods such as rice and corn coming from the Cagayan Valley region.

Surveying works of JICA on the Dalton Pass East Alternative Road project are set for completion by the third quarter of 2023. Afterward, the 15-month Detailed Design and Procurement will be conducted by DPWH, and its 5-year civil works are targeted to commence by 2025.