'Not serving its purpose': Marcos slams Kennon Road project

BENGUET, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized the slope protection and rockshed project along Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 4, calling it a failure of infrastructure and governance.

During the inspection on Sunday, August 24, the president pointed to the collapsed section of the slope at the northern entrance of the P261-million rockshed, saying it “did not serve its purpose.”

The tunnel-like structure was intended to protect vehicles from falling debris and landslides.

A portion of the slope has also eroded beneath the structure, exposing foundations that Marcos described as “obviously substandard.” He called the situation a failure of engineering, oversight and planning.

“This is not just about money wasted!” Marcos said.

Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and Camp 4 Barangay Chairman John Dogao defended the rockshed, noting it has protected residents from perennial landslides, especially during heavy rains.

The DPWH-CAR maintained that the recently completed rockshed safeguarded motorists and local residents in this landslide-prone area.

Marcos was briefed “differently” on the actual condition of Kennon Road, particularly at the Camp 4 rockshed and the Emong-induced landslides that had temporarily blocked the highway.

According to the DPWH-CAR, the originally planned over-500-meter rockshed—intended to protect a longer stretch of road—was scaled down to just over P250 million from the initial P500 million budget.

'LGU participation now back'

After witnessing the situation firsthand, Marcos called for a stronger role for local government units (LGUs) in planning and executing infrastructure projects alongside the DPWH.

“We will bring LGUs back into the process. They know the terrain, the risks, and the history of these areas better than anyone,” he said, emphasizing that local involvement is critical.

Under the president’s directive, the DPWH must consult closely with LGUs before implementing major projects, particularly in geohazard-prone areas like Kennon Road.

An investigation will determine whether the slope protection project was built to standard and whether contractors or engineers should be held accountable.

Mayor Sal-ongan welcomed the president’s intervention, noting that LGU participation is crucial. She added that the rockshed was a national government project and that the local government had limited information about its construction.