DOTC, DPWH in turf war over Kennon Road use

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Kennon Road, the shortest road to Baguio City from Manila, has ignited anew an extended "turf war" between the regional heads of two government agencies. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Director Mariano Alquiza in press statements indicated that Kennon Road is already safe and open to all types of vehicles. On the contrary, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Regional Director Federico Mandapat of the stood pat in his earlier decision preventing inter-regional public utility vehicles from passing through Kennon Road due to geologic instability of the road. Mandapat issued a directive that took effect last September 1, 2007 for all inter-regional public utility vehicles to avoid Kennon Road and instead use the Marcos Highway, a longer route to Baguio City. Mandapat clarified that he did not prevent the use of Kennon Road for other types of vehicles. Mandapat had cited a 2006 geohazard mapping conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) saying a stretch of Kennon Road from Baguio City to Camp 4 in Tuba, Benguet, was “highly susceptible to landslide." DPWH had complained that they were not consulted before DENR issued the geohazard report. The Benguet Board had requested Mandapat to recall his order for reason that preventing the PUV’s from passing through Kennon Road has prejudiced residents along the highway. Mandapat, however, said that the franchise of the public utility vehicles that were prevented from using Kennon Road prohibit these vehicles "from getting passengers along the way". - GMANews.TV