Council pushes probe on Lion’s Head parking area

BAGUIO CITY -- Officials here requested the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (ASEP) to probe and evaluate the structural integrity of ongoing construction of a parking facility being implemented by the Dept. of Public works and Highways near the Lion’s Head along Kennon road.
    Under Resolution No. 446, series of 2023, local legislators stated the ASEP is a nationally recognized association which exists to advance the structural engineering practice, uphold high ethical values, and promote national and international professional collaborations with governments, industry and academe.
    The said group serves as a respected, authoritative and proactive voice in the development of codes and standards, and shall contribute to nation building by advocating for public safety and welfare and sustainability of the built environment.
    The council claimed the city government is a recipient of various national government projects such as construction of roads, buildings and other infrastructure projects implemented locally by the national and regional offices of concerned agencies.
    The body disclosed that one of the major projects being implemented in the city is the rehabilitation/reconstruction and improvement of Kennon road to prevent the road slope disasters such as soil collapse, rock fall, road slip, landslides and river erosions that frequently occur along the said road.
    According to the resolution, the PICE is a professional organization for civil engineers with a role that is vital in planning and managing communities to become more resilient to environmental degradation, human induced hazards and natural disasters.
    The organization’s role is not confined to solving challenges related to design, construction, and maintenance of the physically and naturally built environment but also plays a critical role in disaster management and response and damage restoration.

On the other hand, city officials also requested the Commission on Audit–Cordillera Administrative Region (COA-CAR) to conduct a technical inspection/evaluation on the ongoing project worth P118 million along Kennon road that includes the construction of a parking facility near the Lion’s Head and a road at the Loakan area leading to a private residence.

Considered by the council was a proposed resolution introduced by Councilor Fred Bagbagen reiterating various city council resolutions requesting the DPWH-CAR and the DPWH-BCDEO to coordinate with the local government through the City Engineering Office (CEO) on projects implemented in the city.