By Liza Agoot/PNA
BAGUIO CITY — Kennon Road is open to light vehicles going to the city from February 14 to 18 to allow for a smooth flow of traffic in time for the Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming.
During the dry-run on Wednesday, the Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and the Kennon Road Task Force headed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced the opening of the road to give way to visitors who will be arriving for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming on February 16.
Light vehicles refer to those weighing five tons and below.
Kennon Road is only open one way from 6 a.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Monday. OCD Director Albert Mogol advised motorists going back to the lowlands to take the Marcos Highway or Naguilian Road. The alternate road Baguio-Nangalisan-Tubao road is also a good choice for a scenic view of the lowland from the mountains of Tuba, Benguet.
Residents of barangays along Kennon Road are allowed to use it on any day, provided that they have submitted their plate numbers, endorsed by their respective barangays and have been included in the list of exempted vehicles who may be allowed to enter the road.
Mogol said there are only 10 public utility jeepneys allowed to ply the Baguio–Kennon Road and will only be up to Dungon in Camp 1.
Kennon Road may be open on other dates but the task force would still identify and confirm the schedule.
“For upcoming events and long weekends, the Kennon Road Task Force will again convene to identify dates for partial re-opening of the historic Kennon Road. For the meantime, the general public should use (alternative) routes, use public transportation and plan their travel ahead of time,” Mogol said.
The temporary opening and limited access along Kennon Road was agreed upon by the task force due to public clamor to address the expected exodus of travelers to Baguio for major events, such as the PMA homecoming and the Baguio Flower Festival grand parades.
“Safety is always a top priority and should be everyone’s concern,” Mogol said.
While the said road is open, he advised motorists to try the Baguio-Nangalisan-Tubao road, which has a very good view and has the same curves as Kennon Road. It is only 20 to 30 minutes longer in travel time than Marcos Highway, which is the preferred route for motorists.
Kennon Road was closed to all types of vehicles in June 2018 to avert further untoward incidents that may occur due to inclement weather conditions.
The closure was sustained as a result of the assessment conducted by geology and engineering experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the Cordillera.
However, the condition of Kennon Road was further aggravated, with more damages recorded following Typhoon Ompong in September due to continuous rock fall and landslides, particularly at nine identified critical section, leading to its closure.
In July 1990, Kennon Road suffered major damage that made its slopes unstable. Minor repairs and maintenance works have been done in the past years after the earthquake but without major rehabilitation.
Bill mandating a full repair
The House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill No. 9075 authored by Baguio Rep. Mark Go, providing for the full rehabilitation and maintenance of Kennon Road, a press release from the solon’s office said.
“There is always an ‘open-close’ road situation in Kennon Road due to major landslides resulting (in) numerous reported accidents,” the release said.
“I believe it is best that DPWH, in coordination with the DENR-CAR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera) shall evaluate the current condition of Kennon road and undertake the complete necessary improvement, rehabilitation and other engineering works of the road,” Go said.
The 33-km. Kennon Road was built in 1903, making it one of the oldest access roads going to Baguio City. It is the shortest road to the city compared to Marcos Highway’s 50-km. stretch.
Go added that “for years now, minor rehabilitation and maintenance works are being done on Kennon Road for it to be passable.”
“We want to make Kennon road an ‘all-weather’ road primarily for the safety of our commuters and of course, to address the influx of vehicular traffic, especially during peak tourism season,” he said.
The proposed measure will be calendared for its approval on third and final reading upon the resumption of Congress in May.
