Ban on overloaded trucks sought along Kennon Road

TUBA, Benguet – A ban on overloaded trucks is being sought along the historic Kennon Road, here, amidst residents complaints over authorities’ alleged inaction to imminent danger.

Camp 1 residents here are seeking the ban of overloaded trucks passing through Kennon Road and are asking the Cordillera police and the Department of Public Works and Highways to stand firm and implement the anti-overloading law.

In a letter complaint to DPWH - Cordillera director Edilberto Carabaccan, sitio Dungon residents of Camp 1 want to implement the load limit of 10 tons for aggregate carrying trucks.

The complaint is  signed by 20 residents of Dungon, Camp 1.

The residents also asked  "why the load limit of 10 tons of trucks traversing the Camp One bridge, Dungon bridge and Dungon - Agat road is not strictly implemented."

The group further said that effect of the overloading has led to the deterioration of the newly constructed Dungon road which shows "cracks and sealing on the concrete pavement."

The letter noted that "the crushing plant is constructed at the mouth of the Dungon bridge just 50 meters away from the bridge site."

It added that "soil and aggregate deposits are stocked up below the bridge because the structures of the crushing plant constrict the waterways or flow of these material."

The letter expressed their worry "that the bridge might collapse or create dam above wherein the bridge and the road will be impassable."

On August 27 this year, Supt. Tessie Sarmiento from the Benguet Police Provincial Office,  in a memorandum,  ordered the Tuba  police chief to take action on overloaded trucks passing along Kennon Road.

The memorandum had directed the Tuba police chief "to coordinate and follow up the installation of signages indicating the specific types of vehicles that are NOT allowed to pass along Kennon Road at the recommended specified places." - Artemio A. Dumlao