BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio Tourism Council has formally issued a Manifesto expressing serious concern over the workmanship and implementation of flood control and road rehabilitation projects affecting major access routes to the city and the province of Benguet, particularly along Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, and other critical lifelines.
In its statement, the Council emphasized that Baguio and Benguet’s tourism, commerce, and overall economy heavily depend on reliable and safe infrastructure.
However, recent projects have exposed alarming deficiencies in construction quality, adequacy of design, and use of durable materials. These shortcomings have resulted in recurring landslides, road closures, and hazardous travel conditions most especially during the rainy season.
The Council underscored that these disruptions have caused cancellations of travel plans, reduced hotel occupancy, and shaken visitor confidence.
Beyond tourism, the closures of major routes have also hindered the transport of goods, delayed essential services, and disrupted livelihoods dependent on steady trade and mobility. Preliminary assessments indicate that the economic losses are significant, affecting multiple sectors across the region.
Through the manifesto, the Baguio Tourism Council called for urgent, accountable, and collaborative action among government agencies, contractors, local industries, and stakeholders to ensure that future infrastructure projects adhere to the highest standards of safety and quality.
The Council stressed that resilient infrastructure is essential not only for sustaining tourism but also for safeguarding lives and advancing economic development.
The Council urged authorities to act with prudence, urgency, and accountability, and emphasized that transparency, technical expertise, and community consultation must be embedded in every stage of planning and implementation.
The Baguio Tourism Council concluded by affirming that safe and sustainable roads are non-negotiable lifelines protecting the people, supporting livelihoods, and securing the long-term growth of Baguio and Benguet.
