City officials urged the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Engineering Office (CEO) and the City Council Committee on Urban Planning, Lands and Housing to perform certain important tasks to help expedite the ongoing rehabilitation of the Baguio City side of Kennon Road being undertaken by the Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-BCDEO).
Under Resolution No. 279, series of 2021 signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, local legislators stated that among the specific tasks of the city offices include to find a relocation site for the residents who will be affected prior to the demolition of structures; clear the waterways of the Bued River; embark the debris at the slope between Bued River and Kennon Road; construct a concrete slope protection to restore and reclaim the eroded portion of the road; propose a land use for the reclaimed area and examine all the reclaimed areas and include in the comprehensive land use plan of the city.
The council added to help expedite the ongoing rehabilitation of Kennon Road, the assistance of the local government through the concerned offices is vital in the realization of the aforesaid endeavor.
Earlier, DPWH officials were invited by the body to serve as resource persons to shed light on the implementation of rock netting projects along strategic portions of Kennon Road, including the Baguio City side, as part of the proposed overall rehabilitation of the 34-kilometer roadline before it will be opened to vehicular traffic.
During the agreed ocular inspection of the ongoing projects along the roadline that was held last May 14, 2021, it was found out that a landslide near the Lion’s Head is affecting the Bued River and the residential structures between the said river and the main road.
Further, the DPWH personnel recommended the demolition of certain structures that will be affected by the installation of the proposed retaining wall for slope protection while the local government through the concerned offices was task to locate a relocation site for the residents who will be affected prior to the demolition of their established structures in the said area so as not to unduly delay the implementation of the programmed projects in the said place.
According to the council, stabilization of the slope due to landslide requires clearing of the waterways of the Bued River, embarking the debris at the slope between the river and the main road and the construction of the proposed concrete slope protection to restore and reclaim the eroded portion of the road.
The body pointed out that the reclaimed area as a result of the project should not be used as a building zone, thus, the CPDO should propose a land use for the reclaimed area taking into consideration the intention of the DPWH-CAR to use some portions of the property as staging area of its heavy equipment in the maintenance of Kennon Road and as a space for the planting of trees to help stabilize and reclaim the area.
Moreover, the local government offices should work out a scheme on how to examine all the reclaimed public areas along Kennon Road and include the same in the city’s updated land use plan for guidance and ready reference in the future planning of projects that will be implemented in the area.
By Dexter A. See
Photo by Joseph B. Manzano
