MANILA, Philippines — The government is now looking for potential partners from the private sector for the rehabilitation of the Kennon Road as part of efforts to boost tourism activities in Baguio City.
The Public-Private Partnership Center said the Kennon Road project is undergoing another round of consultation with potential private sector partners through market sounding activities.
The results of these will form part of the feasibility study being conducted by the PPP Center, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the project’s transaction advisor RebelGroup International BV.
The activities will gather feedback and suggestions from the industry on technical considerations, contract structuring elements, and their experience in PPP in the road sector.
The project involves the rehabilitation, reconstruction, improvement, operation and maintenance (RRIOM) of Kennon Road.
Meanwhile, the feasibility study includes the conduct of demand and market research, technical assessment, risk assessment, legal and institutional analysis, gender assessment, and analysis of needs, environmental impact assessment, and land acquisition and resettlement studies.
Earlier in June, a general perception survey was already conducted to get feedback from the public.
The rehabilitation of the 115-year-old Kennon Road involves upgrading and improving the landslide prone sections of the 33.7-kilometer road.
It aims to prevent and mitigate the road slope disasters that frequently occur along Kennon Road such as rock slope collapse, road slip and river erosion.
The rehabilitation process will include existing bridges in deteriorating conditions to increase the road’s load limit and to ensure its structural integrity.
Rehabilitation of the road will cut travel time and expand the tourism industry in Baguio City as well as in remote communities that can be reached via Kennon Road.