BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Public works and Highways–Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) will widen the road, construct soil protection measures and put up a view deck within the vicinity of the famous Lion’s Head along Kennon road to help improve its tourist attraction power.
Engr. Ernesto Aguilos, DP|WH-BCDEO assistant chief of the construction division, said the project costing a total of over P13 million will be implemented next year once the bidding is completed.
He said the major component of the project will be the road widening worth P9 million while the soil protection will entail works that will assess the stability of the soil and rock formations in the area prior to the view deck construction.
The City Council is currently deliberating on a proposal of the Baguio City Host Lion’s Club to return to its original color of black and yellow the lion’s head.
Aguilos informed the members of the local legislative body that there was a P3-million project within the vicinity of the Lion’s Head to stabilize the surrounding areas after rockslides closed this shortest route to the city for several days due to the clearing operations.
The Council wants to solicit the opinion of most of the offices on the proposal to being back the old color of the lion’s head so as not to mislead the people on the actual color of the lion.
The Lion’s head is one of the most frequented tourist spots in the city located within the boundary of Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet along the scenic and historic Kennon Road.
Aguilos said the road widening project, soil protection and construction of a view deck will be funded by the national government.
Earlier, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said it is best for the DPWH-BCDEO and the local government to commission experts that will assess the best projects in the vicinity of Lion’s Head instead of wasting precious time debating on the matter.
The Lion’s head was put up through the initiative of the Baguio City Host Lion’s Club as one of its major projects to boost the growth of the local tourism industry of the city.
By Dexter A. See
