Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Sunday inspection of the Kennon Road rock shed project in Tuba, Benguet, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted its own inspection and found the structure intact and effective on Monday.

In response to Marcos’ criticisms of the “useless” rock shed in Sitio Camp 6, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan defended the project, assuring the public of its capability to shield motorists from falling rocks, reported RH 41 Romy Gonzales.

Rocks from 300 meters high had hit an old crib wall below, but the rock shed itself held up against them, proving that the structure continues to serve its purpose, Bonoan said. Moreover, he added that no funds were wasted in the construction of the project.

Bonoan did admit that it has been weakened by landslides triggered by the past month’s series of storms, and ordered its immediate repair.

Additionally, he inspected the riverbed below the rock shed to examine how to maintain the structure.

The secretary said he will brief the President on the rock shed’s original design, which spans 250 meters to fully cover the areas vulnerable to landslides. It was initially designed as a tunnel, but could not be done due to holes by the river.

Of the rock netting project over the same road, Bonoan said the agency has long prohibited the installation of rock nettings everywhere in the country.

“Binan na po namin ‘yung rock netting. Nag-issue po kami ng department order to hold or to ban, actually, totally ban, ‘yung rock netting na sinasabi, and to put on hold lahat ng rock netting projects natin dito. Sa buong Pilipinas po ‘yan, ano. Kung mayroon mang nagpo-propose ng rock netting, kailangan po, magkakaroon ng approval from the Bureau of Design central office po,” he said.

On Sunday, Marcos expressed disappointment over the ₱273 million project, which did not prevent soil collapse and rock fall, resulting in the closure of Kennon Road. He also called the rock netting project “substandard” and “overpriced.”