Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon ordered immediate funding to complete a long-stalled bypass road in Baguio City and to repair a damaged rock shed along Kennon Road, saying both projects are critical in easing traffic and ensuring safety.

Dizon inspected the unfinished Major Mane to Kennon Road Bypass Road in Sitio Ongasan, Barangay Loakan on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The project started in 2017 and continued until 2025 with funding of more than half a billion pesos.

The bypass road aims to provide a direct link to Loakan from Kennon Road without passing through the city center, helping reduce traffic congestion. The plan includes a two-lane road with sidewalks, gutters and a retaining wall to prevent landslides.

But Dizon said design flaws have slowed its use.

“Ang problema doon sa Major Mane, makitid ‘yung papasok at palabas. Yung isang part doon one lane lang, so paano ka papasok kung one lane lang ‘yun eh ‘yung kalsada mo two-lane, edi nagkanda-leche-leche ang traffic doon,” he said.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways will allocate nearly P100 million to complete the remaining 240 meters that will connect the road to Kennon Road fully, including right-of-way costs.

Dizon also inspected a damaged rock shed and protection slope in Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet.

“Talagang delikado kasi itong rock shed na ito. Gaya ng in-explain kay Pangulo, kailangan itong rock shed na ito hanggang doon, isang daan metro pa papunta doon. Ang problema, hindi pa natapos-tapos ito na nasira,” he said.

Repairs will start next week, with workers set to fix the foundation before restoring the road and slope protection. Dizon said he will secure P270 million to complete the project by 2027.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city will coordinate with the Benguet provincial government to inspect reported pocket mining activities in the area.

“Pag-uusapan uli namin. Although this is not already part of Baguio pero isasama na namin ito sa pag-uusapan kasi marami kaming nakita na mga butas diyan,” Magalong said.

Dizon also visited a stockyard in Camp 7 along Kennon Road that residents said remains unused. The DPWH-Cordillera office said it will work with the local government to address the issues.

Authorities said they aim to fast-track the projects to improve traffic flow and safety in the mountain city.