Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Potholes seem to be everywhere – along Marcos Highway, from Katipunan Avenue to Santolan Road in Quezon City; Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City, and EDSA and C5.
Engineer Rey Tagudando, National Capital Region director of the Department of Public Works and Highways, says potholes may be increasing but they’re not as many of them as there were last year.
In fact, he said, there was a 10% reduction.
The C5-Libis road was repaired last month. But now you can see cracks and potholes in some parts.
According to Tagudando, newly-built roads in a state of disrepair does not necessarily mean substandard materials were used.
The DPWH subject the materials to tests to determine their strength.
Officials are instead blaming the heavy volume of vehicles while repair is ongoing.
One problem, Tagudando said, occurs during reblocking.
The reblocked road section might be closed to traffic, but workers can’t close lanes besides.
Heavy vehicles, especially trucks, passing near newly reblocked areas could cause the newly poured concrete to crack.
Another problem is rainfall, which could delay the paving of asphalt roads.
A newly repaired road should be in good condition for three to five years.
If cracks and potholes develop within the one-year warranty period, contractors are obliged to redo the repair at no cost to the government, Tagudando said.,
From June to October of each year, the DPWH fixes potholes as part of its maintenance work.
And the money is there. The 1,000-km national highway covering nine districts in Metro Manila has a yearly budget of P12 million to P15 million for maintenance.
But the DPWH said potholes couldn’t be fixed on time due to lack of equipment, such as road rollers and dump trucks.
With repairs still ongoing, motorists will just have to tolerate bumpy rides.
