A ROCK shed collapsed during the onslaught of tropical cyclone 'Emong' in Banguet. (Photo via Zaldy Comanda)
A newly-built rock shed in Tuba, Benguet, collapsed due to tropical cyclone ‘’Emong."
Baguio City Mayor and Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan Tuba-Tublay chairman Benjamin Magalong visited and lamented the condition of the infrastructure in Millsite, Camp 4, Kennon Road.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has deployed manpower and heavy equipment to clear the area of debris.
Magalong said the rock shed will remain closed until its structural stability is established.
“There is so much money being poured in. If you count all the money spent on Marcos Highway and Kennon Road, that highway should be a 'Class A' highway but it's not. It's just a milking cow,” he said.
He said a project of this caliber should have been given adequate funding and Class A treatment.
"There is also a need to determine if aside from natural factors, human factors such as design flaws and construction errors also played a role in the incident."
He said despite what happened, the structure protected Kennon Road from rock fall.
“It's sad to think that politicians and government officials are just happy because there's another project there—they'll make money again, they'll have another percentage," said Magalong who recommended a third-party audit of the project and transparent and public report.