Baguio City Urge Double-time In Kennon Road Rehab

June 16, 2021 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (June 16, 2021) – Baguio City urging the fast rehabilitation of Kennon Road has put to task the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Engineering Office (CEO) and the City Council Committee on Urban Planning, Lands and Housing to help rush the rehabilitation of the Baguio City side of Kennon Road being undertaken by the Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-BCDEO).
Under Resolution No. 279, series of 2021 signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Baguio City councilors named the specific tasks of the said offices to include looking for a relocation site for the residents who will be affected prior to the demolition of structures; clearing the waterways of the Bued River; embarking the debris at the slope between Bued river and Kennon road; constructing a concrete slope protection to restore and reclaim the eroded portion of the road; proposing a land use for the reclaimed area and examining all the reclaimed areas and include in the comprehensive land use plan of the city.
The assistance of the local government through the offices is vital, the city council added, will help expedite the ongoing rehabilitation of the major road grid to Baguio City and the rest of the Cordillera region.
DPWH officials were earlier invited to the city council to shed light on the implementation of rock netting projects along strategic portions of Kennon Road, including the Baguio City side, as part of the proposed overall rehabilitation of the 34-kilometer road line before it will be opened to vehicular traffic.
During the ocular inspection of the ongoing projects along the roadline that was held last May 14, 2021, it was found out that a landslide near the Lion’s Head is affecting the Bued River and the residential structures between the river and the main road.
DPWH also earlier recommended the demolition of certain structures that will be affected by the installation of the proposed retaining wall for slope protection while the local government through the concerned offices was task to locate a relocation site for the residents who will be affected prior to the demolition of their established structures in the said area so as not to delay the rehabilitation work in that area.
But reclaimed area as a result of the project should not be used as a building zone, Baguio City officials believe, thus putting to task the CPDO to propose a land use for the reclaimed area taking into consideration the intention of the DPWH-CAR to use some portions of the property as staging area of its heavy equipment in the maintenance of Kennon Road and as a space for the planting of trees to help stabilize and reclaim the area.
Artemio A. Dumlao