The Baguio City Council has called for a joint site inspection on the ongoing project worth P118 million along Kennon Road to check the integrity of the structures being built.
Raising doubts over the safety of the said construction due to other previous defective infrastructure projects caused by poor workmanship, the council members said a site inspection needs to be conducted to ensure that the public is safe from accidents or hazards once the aforementioned project is completed.
The site inspection will be done collaboratively by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera Administrative Office (DPWH-CAR), Baguio City District Engineering Officer (BCDEO)-DPWH, City Engineering Office (CEO), and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The project includes the construction of a parking facility near the Lion’s Head that can accommodate around 400 parking slots. The said facility will cater to tourists coming up to the city in order to ease the traffic congestion experienced along the highway especially during the peak season.
According to DPWH-CAR, the parking facility will be turned over to the city government once completed.
Likewise, the project includes the construction of gabions and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE), drainage structure, flume structure, box culvert, double crib wall, additional one-lane PCCP, and bio-engineering system consisting of coconet, cocolog, and vegetation. These structures are meant to ensure a safe and reliable national road system.
The city council’s request for a joint inspection came about due to safety concerns raised by an engineer residing in the city and relayed by Councilor Fred Bagbagen during the regular session last June 19.
During the forum, engineers from DPWH-CAR assured the city council that a design analysis and hydraulic analysis were conducted. They claimed these analyses proved that the structures are safe.
However, after careful scrutiny, some council members pointed out that the DPWH-CAR had not yet obtained a clearance from MGB-DENR. Councilors Leandre Yangot and Mylen Yaranon said a geohazard certification from MGB-DENR is needed in order to ensure the suitability and safety of the project site.
Councilor Isabelo Cosalan Jr. requested the DPWH-CAR engineers to provide the city council copies of the project’s design analysis to equip the local government in its preparation in times of a disaster.
During the forum, it was explained that Kennon Road is still closed to the public because of two ongoing projects: the said parking space project and a slope protection project. **Jordan G. Habbiling
