Banning of vans on Kennon Road defended

BAGUIO CITY - Transportation Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. is dismayed with the suspension of his order banning public utility vans from using Kennon Road. "This to them is safe?" said Mandapat while showing pictures of fallen rocks along Kennon Road, which were taken just about 10 days ago. He also showed a police blotter report submitted to him by the Police Precinct 8 about an accident in Kennon, which occurred last April 14. He said he did not see any media coverage about the incident. "Why don't they consider all these instances?" he added. He also shared the experiences of Regional Auditor Alicia Estivar and Dr. Maricel Arcillana of the Sacred Heart Hospital about the instability of the road. Mandapat said debris fell on the two while they were traversing Kennon. Mandapat could not believe that the Benguet Provincial Board (PB) could set aside these instances as isolated cases. He said the truth is falling rocks and landslides are a daily phenomenon at Kennon Road. The transportation official called on the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to come up with a written statement about their findings on the current status of not only the road but also the masses of lands (like mountains and huge rocks), which are located just beside Kennon Road to prove the occurrence of falling rocks or landslides along the road with or without rain. "I don't know why the Benguet PB is contesting my claim and the MGB that Kennon Road is unstable," said Mandapat. "My only concern is the safety of the passengers, but the Provincial Government appears to be protecting businesses more," he added. According to Mandapat, it appears to him the Provincial Government is just favoring the interests of the PUV (public utility vehicle) operators, which compromises the lines of the passengers. He said majority of the people should be heard. He said if there are about 200 PUVs, which are allowed to pass through Kennon Road, and each can contain at least 15 passengers, which means the 200 PUVs have 3,000 passengers if combined. He said they are re-routing all the vehicles to a safer place but the operators cared about the increase of P200 to P300 in their gasoline expense more than their safety and the safety of their passengers. "Just because of their protest, the Provincial Government has favored operators more than the passengers. Just because most operators are from Baguio and most of the passengers are just tourists," he said. Mandapat also finds the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as inconsistent. He said it is the standing policy of the DPWH if it rains, even for a little time, they will have to re-road all vehicles to Marcos Highway. If the suspension of the PUV ban at Kennon road will be made permanent, Mandapat said they would give way. "We will relax on the apprehension (of vehicles) for the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will be free from liability," he said. "If the DPWH says it's possible, then you can travel there at your own risk," he added. PUVs have been allowed to cross Kennon Road once again after van operators, drivers, transport groups and Benguet officials met with DOTC officials in Manila on Friday. The DOTC will have another hearing about the issue on May 19 to listen to all the sectors involved. - Sun.Star Baguio