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DOTC lifts transport ban on Kennon Road
By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the Department of Transportation and Communications has lifted its order banning garage vans from traversing Kennon Road, the shortest route from this mountain resort city to the lowlands and vice versa.
The lifting of the ban is expected to help operators save on fuel expense amidst the soaring prices of oil. Lawyer Federico J. Mandapat, Cordillera DOTC director, issued an order allowing vans to pass through the 34- km road to help them cope with increase in fuel cost.

Because of the ban on Kennon, the drivers of the passenger vans erlier had to travel through Marcos Highway, a circuitous route to and from this city.

Last year, Mandapat banned garage vans from passing through Kennon because of its reportedly unstable, delicate condition, using as basis a report that the highway is geologically unstable.

All vans were ordered to take Marcos Highway to ensure safety of the passengers.

In lifting the ban on Kennon, Mandapat said his campaign against colorum vehicles and road-safety violations committed by van operators and drivers is expected to be boosted.

The ban on Kennon had caused a misunderstanding and mudslinging between Benguet provincial leaders and DOTC officials who traded serious accusations the past several months. On the Baguio section of Kennon, meanwhile, the city government has banned six-wheel trucks and mini buses from traversing the highway.

This was to ensure safety of motorists and protect the road from further deterioration.

Van operators and drivers said passing through Kennon resulted in reduction in travel time and fuel expense.

Compared to travel on Marcos Highway, Kennon trip resulted in savings of over P300 in fuel expense and cut in travel time by 20 minutes of travel, they said.

Perfecto Itliong Jr., regional director of the Public Transport Affairs Office in the Cordillera, said Mandapat’s order was laudable because van operators and drivers can now earn more considering hard times when everybody has resorted to belt tightening amidst skyrocketing prices of commodities.

At the same time, he said, the rift between DOTC and the transport sector was considered settled and a harmonious working relationship was now a possibility.

Earlier, the Cordillera office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau reported that 85 percent of Kennon areas were geologically hazardous especially during rainy season,
This was caused mainly by existence of highly fractured rock formations located in the mountain slopes posing serious threat to communities alongside the road as well as motorists using the national highway.