The city council has called for a joint site inspection on the P118 million project 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 must be conducted to ensure the public is safe from accidents or hazards once the project is completed.
The site inspection will be done by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera, Baguio City District Engineering Officer, City Engineering Office, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
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 the DPWH-Cordillera, 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, drainage structure, flume structure, box culvert, double crib wall, additional one-lane Portland Cement Concrete Pavement, 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 session on June 19.
During the forum, engineers from DPWH-Cordillera 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 scrutiny, some council members said the DPWH-Cordillera had not yet obtained a clearance from MGB-DENR.
Councilors Leandro Yangot, Jr. and Mylen Yaranon said a geohazard certification from MGB-DENR is needed to ensure the suitability and safety of the project site.
Councilor Isabelo Cosalan, Jr. requested the DPWH-Cordillera 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. – Jordan G. Habbiling
