Motorists traveling to, from Baguio advised to avoid Kennon Road
BAGUIO CITY – The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Tuba, Benguet, urged motorists on Wednesday to avoid Kennon Road when traveling to and from Baguio City, citing safety concerns due to landslides and rockfalls.
A ROCKSLIDE at Kennon Road on Monday. (Baguio City PIO FB)
“It’s safer to avoid Kennon Road. We never know where falling rocks or landslides might occur,” said Gerald Jhune Alejo Jr., local DRRM Officer II of Tuba, said in a radio interview.
Alejo explained that although slope protection measures and repairs have been done along some sections, the 33-kilometer road is not considered an all-weather route.
“Falling rocks may occur anywhere as well as landslides and it is safer if they travel using the alternate routes which are a bit longer in time and distance but are much safer,” Alejo said.
He recommended Marcos Highway, Nangalisan-San Pascual Road or the Naguillian Road as alternative and safer routes.
He pointed to Monday night’s landslide near the rock shed at the mouth of Kennon Road as the most recent incident, which rendered the area temporarily one-way passable.
Kennon Road remains open only to light vehicles due to ongoing rehabilitation work and its steep, winding path.
“Safety should always come first. Take the alternate routes,” Alejo advised. (PNA)