Monday, May 05, 2008 DPWH: Kennon Road should be kept open
THE tug-of-war refuses end.
This time, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Mariano Alquiza said vehicles should be allowed to ply the historic Kennon Road as long as the required weight limit imposed by the DPWH is meet.
Currently, vans-for-hire (VFH) are barred from using Kennon. Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. ordered VFHs to reroute to Palispis Highway, citing a report by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) that the road is geologically unstable.
But Alquiza, whose department was recently the subject of a City Council resolution, which stated that trucks should be banned at Kennon, stressed that falling rocks and landslides are common occurrences in mountainous areas.
He maintained that allowing small vehicles weighing ten tons does not affect the road's stability. "On times when it does not rain, Kennon road is safe," Alquiza added.
Mandapat countered even on a sunny day, danger is still imminent. He said an employee of the Supreme Court (SC) was wounded by a falling rock, which fell from the mountain.
Reacting also to comments that all forms of vehicles must not be allowed to pass Kennon, Mandapat said his jurisdiction is only with the public utility vehicles. Trucks and other heavy weight vehicles are under the control of the DPWH, he stressed.
Van drivers and officials of Benguet asked Mandapat to reconsider, claiming commuters are affected by the rerouting.
The affected drivers asked the intervention of Malacañang officials and DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza for Mandapat to reconsider his stand. (RO)
