THE municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) in Tuba, Benguet on Wednesday advised motorists to steer clear of Kennon Road when traveling to and from Baguio City.
The advisory came in light of imminent landslides and rockfalls along the route.
“It’s safer to avoid Kennon Road. We never know where falling rocks or landslides might occur,” according to Gerald Jhune Alejo Jr., local DRRM officer Gerald Jhune Alejo Jr.
Alejo explained in a radio interview that while slope protection and repair works have been carried out on certain sections, the 33-kilometer road is still not classified as 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 Naguilian Road as safer alternatives.
He adverted to Monday night’s landslide near the rock shed at the mouth of Kennon Road as the most recent incident, which rendered it a one-way road for the time being.
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 stressed.
