DPWH to repair roads for safe Holy Week travel

To ensure the safety of travelers, especially during observance of Lenten Season, the Department of Public Works and Highways central office issued a memorandum to all regional offices to conduct maintenance activities on roads that need repairs.

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has ordered all regional directors and district engineers nationwide to conduct road maintenance works to ensure smooth travel of motorists.

In his memorandum, which he issued last week, Ebdane directed the regional directors and district engineers to install directional signs, conduct zero-pothole operations and assure clear road markings.

He also directed the officials of DPWH in the provinces to coordinate with the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and local government units to assign field personnel to man motorists assistance centers situated in strategic locations to respond to emergency road assistant to motorists.

"The safety of all national roads and bridges is our responsibility, all these structures should be free from any obstruction" Ebdane said.

The official also said that motorists should also be informed, through the media, of roads that are not passable and their corresponding alternate routes specifying the entry and exit points including its distance.

With the coming observance of the Lenten Season, especially on April 13 to April 16, people from the cities are expected to go home to their provinces to observe this important event with their loved ones.

DPWH said in a report that even before the memorandum from Ebdane, DPWH officials in the provinces have already started their road improvements to make roads convenient and safe for motorists not only during the Holy Week but also the entire duration of the summer months.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office 7 would authorize personnel from the Cebu Second Engineering District to run after unscrupulous truck drivers who avoid the weighbridge station in barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla town.

The move is in response to the district's letter to LTO-7 bewailing the increasing number of big trucks plying the Toledo City route via the Manipis Road, which at the same time skirt the weighbridge station.

Drivers take the Manipis Road as an alternative route to Toledo City and other southwestern municipalities because for now the Naga Uling Road is being rehabilitated.

DPWH is concerned about the maximum lifespan of roads being shortened because of the frequency and number of heavy trucks traveling this way.

However, it is suspected that drivers skip the bridge to avoid penalties for violations such as overloading, and fines are paid during renewal of licenses or registration of vehicles at LTO.

Engr. Paz Adlawan, planning officer of Cebu Second Engineering District, said his office is strictly monitoring erring truck drivers. - Wenna A. Berondo and Ferliza C. Contratista