Tinoc Road in Ifugao Is Now Highest Point in PH Highway System

Halsema Highway is no longer the “highest point” of the Philippine Highway System. It is now the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road in this municipality.

“Please be informed that based on the evaluation conducted, the highest point along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road has an elevation of 7,968.07 feet above sea level (2,428.66 m) which is 568.07 feet (173.14 m) higher than the declared highest point at Cattubo, Atok, Benguet, with an elevation of 7,400 feet above sea level,” Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office memo stated.

Representatives from the DPWH Central Office Planning Service together with the DPWH-CAR Regional Office and the Ifugao 1st District Office conducted a validation and assessment in January 2019 following the request of the Sangguniang Bayan of Tinoc for the identification of the new highest elevation of the Philippine Highway System located in Mount Gui’ngaw, Barangay Eheb in Tinoc town.

The highest Point in Atok, Benguet was established since the construction of the national road after the second World War. The Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road was only converted into a national road by virtue of Republic Act No. 10551 in May 2013.

Tinoc town having a total land area of 14,948.17 hectares is situated on the eastern part of Mount Pulag, the second highest mountain in the Philippines, on top of the sleeping beauty mountain range. It has an elevation about 2,700 meters above sea level.

The DPWH Central office has recommended to the DPWH-CAR to update the location and measurement of the highest point elevation of the Philippine Highway System. The Ifugao 1st District Engineering Office is also directed to install a concrete marker specifying the elevation and location of the new highest point.

Ifugao Governor Pedro Mayam-o said this information that the highest point in the country’s road system is now located in his province is a welcome development. Aside from being historic, it will also boost tourism.

Among the tourist attractions in Tinoc include vast vegetable gardens, the Tukuhan Sulfur Hot Spring, the Mount Pulag National Park and the hospitable Kalanguya people of Tinoc.

He is optimistic that like the former highest point along Halsema Highway which had become one of the visited sites along Halsema, and opened up economic activities in the area, the new highest would also open up additional livelihood for residents in the area. (JDP/ RMC- PIA CAR)