Mandapat defends PUV ban in Kennon Road

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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Jan. 18) — The Department of Transportation and Communications regional director clarified last week the vehicular ban along Kennon Road applies to inter-regional public utility vehicles to assure public safety and protection but the measure excludes public utility jeepneys serving the locals.

DOTC-CAR Director Federico Mandapat Jr issued the ban order in August 2007 and directed intrer-regional PUVs to take Marcos Highway effective September 1.

Mandapat, who appeared before the members of the Provincial Board in last weekfs session attended by public utility jeepney (PUJ) and van operators and drivers, pointed out that vans plying Baguio – Rosario passing through Kennon road violate the DOTC circular.

Mandapat claimed findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) that the Kennon Road is unstable with a 75 percent to 85 percent high landslide susceptibility. The road condition can be observed especially during the rainy season as landslides are frequently experienced coupled with falling rocks, he said.

Unsafe?

Board Member Juan Nazarro, Jr, however, insists that DOTC-CAR is not the right office to declare that the road is unsafe. He said apparently, there were more accidents that occurred in Marcos Highway as compared to that in Kennon Road.

In a letter to Mandapat dated September 7, Department of Public Works and Highways Director Mariano Alquiza claimed that with due respect, the proper authority to give traffic advisory on the condition of Kennon Road should be left to his office.

Disagreeing with the statement of Alquiza, Mandapat said gwhen you talk of road safety, you should talk of the system in its entirety.h The prevalence of loss soil triggered by the July 1990 earthquake should also be considered, he added.

Additional expenses to drivers

During the session, public utility jeepney operators and drivers association President John Mayapit plying Kennon Road, informed that not all the PUJs are operating as there are only a few passengers who avail of the jeepneys and they could not recoup with their gasoline expenses. Expressing his dismay, he said gTaltalikudan da kami pay ti pasaheros no lumabas kami” (Passengers turn their backs if we pass by). Passengers opt to take the vans plying the area as they collect the same fare as that of the jeepneys.

Some community members along Kennon road representing various sectors who are affected by the circular, appealed to the DOTC to consider their plight and repeal the circular.

Mandapat emphasized that vans are only allowed to unload two kilometers before the point of destination as their route covers from the garage to terminal.

Speaking in behalf of the group of van operators and drivers plying the route Rosario to Baguio passing through Kennon Road , Spencer Manuga said they are aware of the directive that they are not allowed to pick up passengers along Kennon Road but claimed they pity the students who line up the road during peak hours in the morning and afternoon along Camp 3 and Camp 4. He said they will stop picking up passengers along the area.

Manuga brought out the situation that if they pass via Marcos Highway, it would be additional 15 to 25 minute travel time with corresponding additional gas expenses of P200.00 and more wear and tear of tires due to longer travel time

Arnold Familo, a businessman also expressed the plight of the businesses along Kennon Road saying such opportunity will be lost as majority of their customers are the passengers of these inter-regional vehicles.

Deadlock

Seeing the issues arising, Vice-governor Crescencio Pacalso suggested that perhaps van operators and drivers can come up with a resolution that should they pass Kennon Road, they are accountable to the safety and protection of their passengers.

Officers and members of the BARJODA who were present agreed that they will follow the 30 minute interval schedule in order to assure the presence of transportation along the stretch.

Mandapat on the other hand, said the only solution to the problem of the community relative to the lack of transportation plying Kennon road is to reactivate the remaining 30 vehicles which are not operating. Of the 57 franchises issued, only 27 are operating.

Mandapat added that until a certification will be issued by DENR-MGB that Kennon Road is stable and no longer prone to falling rocks and landslide, only then can DOTC consider the request of van operators and drivers to pass along the road. # S.C. Aro/PIA-Benguet