Thursday, May 08, 2008 Mandapat unfazed by ouster threats By Luis Roberto Rondez
TRANSPORTATION Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. on Wednesday dismissed threats to oust him from office because of his decision to ban inter-regional vans from using Kennon Road.
"If ever I am ousted from office, it won't be because of corruption but it would be because of the principles I am fighting for," Mandapat said.
The Benguet Provincial Board (PB) wants Mandapat to step down for "being arrogant and showing disrespect to the PB by not considering their ideas on how to meet the van drivers and Kennon commuting public halfway."
Mandapat said Kennon Road in its entirety is very unstable. "Aside from the road, the mountain slopes are also very dangerous," he claimed. That is why he thinks it is better for Kennon Road to be converted into a provincial road to lessen the flow of traffic because landslides can occur in the area any time.
To back up his claim, the transportation official recalled a few personal experiences regarding Kennon Road's unsteadiness.
He said while he was traveling through Kennon Road with his family a couple years back, they suddenly heard the sound of falling rocks from out of nowhere.
Mandapat added that even though the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) stressed that Kennon Road is stable and safe 24 hours a day during the dry season, there have been instances when landslides still happen despite the absence of rain.
Since Mandapat said 85 percent of Kennon Road is susceptible to landslides, motorists should pass through Marcos Highway instead as it is much safer.
When asked why Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is more concerned about the public utility vehicles (PUVs) passing through Kennon, Mandapat said they could not stop private vehicles from passing through it since they do not have jurisdiction over them. "Which is why private vehicles are free to pass through Kennon -- at their own risk," he said.
Aside from the PB, other people, especially van operators, are questioning Mandapat's concern regarding the safety of Kennon Road when the DOTC should be addressing other more important issues.
Mandapat justified his actions by saying he is only concerned about the safety of commuters forced to pass through Kennon because van drivers prefer the shorter route to and from the lowlands.
He said even the Mines and Geosciences Bureau found Kennon Road to be very susceptible to landslides, most especially during rainy weather.
A hearing is set on May 19 at the Pinewood Hotel to discuss the matter further. Mandapat is inviting everyone to the hearing who has experienced the dangers involved when passing through Kennon Road.
