Magalong dismayed over “slow progress” in Kennon Road rehab

August 19, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong led surprise inspections along Kennon Road Thursday and Friday and was dismayed to find that most of the construction activities in the area either had no personnel working on them, lacking warning signs or don’t have any billboard giving information about the construction being done.

Magalong said this goes against the assurance given him by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that they will fast track the rehabilitation of the major scenic and historic artery to the Summer Capital and that it will be finished “in a few months”.

The Mayor said he has been pressuring the DPWH to fast track the constructions at Kennon Road since its continuous closure is an inconvenience to residents and visitors and pose danger to life and property especially to those living in the affected areas.

The opening of Kennon Road would also help ease traffic in Marcos-Highway and Naguillian roads, the other major entryways to the city.

He was joined in the ocular inspections by City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña, Police personnel, representatives from other concerned offices and the local media.Magalong said the city will once again reiterate its request to the DPWH to speed up the rehabilitation of Kennon Road including suggestions on more permanent solutions to the area.

Dela Peña, an engineer by profession, said they will collaborate with experts from the DPWH Cordillera and city offices and the Mining and Geosciences Bureau to come up with permanent solutions to the problems besetting Kennon Road.

He stressed that the completion of Kennon Road is “very urgent” especially now that it is the rainy season. The city administrator added that better soil protection should be implemented including the use of steel netting, higher retaining walls and the like, for more permanent solutions against erosion and other similar problems in the area.

Gaby Keith-PIO Baguio/ABN